Research at Durham University
REF 2021 quality profile, funded projects, and leading researchers.
Annual publications
REF 2021 quality profile
REF 2021 is the UK's official assessment of university research quality. 4★ research is world-leading; 1★ research is recognised nationally.
Percentage of research at each quality tier, broken down by subject area (Unit of Assessment).
- 4★ World-leading
- 3★ Internationally excellent
- 2★ Internationally recognised
- 1★ Nationally recognised
- Unclassified
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
34.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
5. Biological Sciences
49.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
34.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
8. Chemistry
44.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
9. Physics
84.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
10. Mathematical Sciences
73.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
11. Computer Science and Informatics
26.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
12. Engineering
45.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
67.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
15. Archaeology
30.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
17. Business and Management Studies
123.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
18. Law
54.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
19. Politics and International Studies
30.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
21. Sociology
30.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
33.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
23. Education
35.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
24. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
12.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
54.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
27. English Language and Literature
48.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
28. History
54.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
29. Classics
20.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
30. Philosophy
24.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
31. Theology and Religious Studies
37.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
16.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research