Research quality

How research at Lancaster 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

3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

92.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

34.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

87% world-class

7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

75.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

8. Chemistry

25.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

9. Physics

56.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

10. Mathematical Sciences

49.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

100% world-class

11. Computer Science and Informatics

49.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

12. Engineering

45.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

17. Business and Management Studies

186.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

18. Law

37.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

81% world-class

21. Sociology

40.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

23. Education

18.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

26. Modern Languages and Linguistics

34.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

27. English Language and Literature

32.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

28. History

25.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

87% world-class

31. Theology and Religious Studies

45.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

49.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results