Research at UCL (University College London)

REF 2021 quality profile, funded projects, and leading researchers.

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

344.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

208.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

86.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

379.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

5. Biological Sciences

169.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

40.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

8. Chemistry

64.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

9. Physics

112.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

10. Mathematical Sciences

94.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

11. Computer Science and Informatics

100.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

12. Engineering

256.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

290.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

14. Geography and Environmental Studies

55.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

15. Archaeology

60.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

16. Economics and Econometrics

43.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

17. Business and Management Studies

38.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

18. Law

59.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

19. Politics and International Studies

42.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

20. Social Work and Social Policy

41.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

22. Anthropology and Development Studies

44.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

23. Education

317.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

25. Area Studies

59.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

26. Modern Languages and Linguistics

68.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

27. English Language and Literature

32.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

28. History

52.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

29. Classics

14.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

30. Philosophy

32.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

31. Theology and Religious Studies

10.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

38.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

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

19.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research