Research quality

How research at SOAS University of London 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

17. Business and Management Studies

19.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

81% world-class

18. Law

23.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

100% world-class

19. Politics and International Studies

30.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

93% world-class

22. Anthropology and Development Studies

63.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

70% world-class

25. Area Studies

10.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

26. Modern Languages and Linguistics

24.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

78% world-class

28. History

25.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

79% world-class

31. Theology and Religious Studies

19.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

89% world-class

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

12.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

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

7.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

93% world-class

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

13.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results