Research quality
How research at Open 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
31.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
75% world-class
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
25.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
58% world-class
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
28.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
86% world-class
9. Physics
41.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
10. Mathematical Sciences
22.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
95% world-class
11. Computer Science and Informatics
44.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
68% world-class
12. Engineering
23.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
71% world-class
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
12.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
90% world-class
17. Business and Management Studies
71.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
83% world-class
18. Law
26.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
36% world-class
19. Politics and International Studies
9.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
60% world-class
20. Social Work and Social Policy
57.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
77% world-class
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
25.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
86% world-class
23. Education
105.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
69% world-class
27. English Language and Literature
28.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
87% world-class
28. History
18.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
77% world-class
29. Classics
14.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
77% world-class
30. Philosophy
9.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
57% world-class
31. Theology and Religious Studies
9.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
73% world-class
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
28.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
86% world-class
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
14.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
Source: REF 2021 results