Research quality

How research at Keele 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

2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

25.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

56.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

16.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

75% world-class

5. Biological Sciences

19.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

76% world-class

9. Physics

9.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

84% world-class

10. Mathematical Sciences

11.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

79% world-class

11. Computer Science and Informatics

15.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

62% world-class

12. Engineering

34.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

14. Geography and Environmental Studies

19.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

78% world-class

17. Business and Management Studies

17.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

66% world-class

18. Law

28.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

61% world-class

19. Politics and International Studies

13.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

64% world-class

20. Social Work and Social Policy

23.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

73% world-class

27. English Language and Literature

17.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

28. History

14.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

58% world-class

30. Philosophy

5.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

38% world-class

33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies

5.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

74% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results