Fifty-four percent of research we submitted to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework was judged to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.
Published every six years, the Framework assesses research in every UK higher education institution. The assessment is based on three aspects: the Research Environment, Research Impact and Research Outputs with an Overall score which can be 4* - world leading, 3* internationally excellent, 2* internationally recognised and 1* nationally recognised.
The 2014 Framework also found that based on the Grade Point Average (GPA):
Across the UK modern universities:
- We were rated the top UK modern university for Impact in:
- Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
- We were ranked in the top 25% UK modern universities for our Overall research in:
- Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, and Library and Information Management
- Computer Science and Informatics
- English language and Literature
Within the Scottish modern universities:
- Our Research Overall was ranked top in:
- Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, and Library and Information Management
- Computer Science and Informatics
- Our Research Environment was top in:
- Business and Management Studies
- Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, and Library and Information Management
- Computer Science and Informatics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
- Our Research Impact was top in:
- Computer Science and Informatics
- Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials English language and Literature
- Our Research Outputs were top in:
- Architecture and the Built Environment
- Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, and Library and Information Management
- We were the only Scottish modern university submitting research in:
- Civil and Construction Engineering
- English language and Literature