Research quality
How research at The University of Edinburgh 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
357.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
189.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
5. Biological Sciences
138.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
6. Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences
151.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
87% world-class
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
123.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
8. Chemistry
48.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
99% world-class
9. Physics
118.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
98% world-class
10. Mathematical Sciences
90.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
11. Computer Science and Informatics
144.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
97% world-class
12. Engineering
146.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
42.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
16. Economics and Econometrics
31.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
93% world-class
17. Business and Management Studies
101.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
89% world-class
18. Law
74.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
86% world-class
19. Politics and International Studies
50.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
20. Social Work and Social Policy
84.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
89% world-class
21. Sociology
76.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
82% world-class
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
63.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
81% world-class
23. Education
68.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
78% world-class
24. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
35.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
92.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
78% world-class
27. English Language and Literature
46.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
91% world-class
28. History
75.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
79% world-class
29. Classics
40.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
89% world-class
30. Philosophy
34.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
85% world-class
31. Theology and Religious Studies
33.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
85% world-class
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
81.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
81% world-class
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
22.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
90% world-class
Source: REF 2021 results