Research at The University of Edinburgh
REF 2021 quality profile, funded projects, and leading researchers.
Annual publications
REF 2021 quality profile
REF 2021 is the UK's official assessment of university research quality. 4★ research is world-leading; 1★ research is recognised nationally.
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
357.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
189.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
5. Biological Sciences
138.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
6. Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences
151.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
123.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
8. Chemistry
48.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
9. Physics
118.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
10. Mathematical Sciences
90.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
11. Computer Science and Informatics
144.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
12. Engineering
146.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
42.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
16. Economics and Econometrics
31.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
17. Business and Management Studies
101.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
18. Law
74.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
19. Politics and International Studies
50.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
20. Social Work and Social Policy
84.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
21. Sociology
76.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
63.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
23. Education
68.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
24. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
35.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
92.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
27. English Language and Literature
46.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
28. History
75.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
29. Classics
40.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
30. Philosophy
34.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
31. Theology and Religious Studies
33.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
81.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
22.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research