Research quality

How research at Newcastle 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

1. Clinical Medicine

159.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

89% world-class

2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

31.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

45.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

62.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

77% world-class

5. Biological Sciences

56.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

6. Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences

36.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

33.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

8. Chemistry

34.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

10. Mathematical Sciences

47.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

11. Computer Science and Informatics

49.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

12. Engineering

175.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

63.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

14. Geography and Environmental Studies

56.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

15. Archaeology

18.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

89% world-class

17. Business and Management Studies

121.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

81% world-class

18. Law

34.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

77% world-class

19. Politics and International Studies

34.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

77% world-class

20. Social Work and Social Policy

7.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

21. Sociology

24.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

80% world-class

23. Education

16.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

78% world-class

26. Modern Languages and Linguistics

69.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

27. English Language and Literature

46.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

98% world-class

28. History

44.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

62% world-class

29. Classics

15.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

72% world-class

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

27.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

97% world-class

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

18.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

84% world-class

34. Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management

38.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

93% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results