Research quality
How research at Heriot-Watt 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
13.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
42% world-class
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
34.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
70% world-class
8. Chemistry
39.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
80% world-class
9. Physics
21.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
97% world-class
10. Mathematical Sciences
54.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
11. Computer Science and Informatics
31.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
12. Engineering
134.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
30.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
17. Business and Management Studies
33.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
78% world-class
25. Area Studies
18.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
67% world-class
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
10.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
68% world-class
Source: REF 2021 results