Research quality
How research at Durham University was rated in the REF 2021 — the UK's official assessment of university research quality.
4★ research is world-leading; 3★ is internationally excellent; 2★ is internationally recognised; 1★ is nationally recognised. Each bar shows the 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
83% world-class
5. Biological Sciences
49.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
83% world-class
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
34.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
8. Chemistry
44.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
97% world-class
9. Physics
84.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
10. Mathematical Sciences
73.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
11. Computer Science and Informatics
26.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
98% world-class
12. Engineering
45.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
97% world-class
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
67.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
95% world-class
15. Archaeology
30.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
98% world-class
17. Business and Management Studies
123.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
18. Law
54.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
19. Politics and International Studies
30.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
80% world-class
21. Sociology
30.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
83% world-class
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
33.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
84% world-class
23. Education
35.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
24. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
12.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
100% world-class
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
54.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
76% world-class
27. English Language and Literature
48.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
90% world-class
28. History
54.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
87% world-class
29. Classics
20.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
90% world-class
30. Philosophy
24.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
77% world-class
31. Theology and Religious Studies
37.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
91% world-class
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
16.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
Source: REF 2021 results