Research quality
How research at UCL (University College 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
1. Clinical Medicine
344.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
208.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
95% world-class
3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
86.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
90% world-class
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
379.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
5. Biological Sciences
169.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
91% world-class
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
40.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
8. Chemistry
64.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
100% world-class
9. Physics
112.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
10. Mathematical Sciences
94.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
95% world-class
11. Computer Science and Informatics
100.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
98% world-class
12. Engineering
256.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
97% world-class
13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
290.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
91% world-class
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
55.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
15. Archaeology
60.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
16. Economics and Econometrics
43.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
95% world-class
17. Business and Management Studies
38.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
87% world-class
18. Law
59.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
19. Politics and International Studies
42.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
20. Social Work and Social Policy
41.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
87% world-class
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
44.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
80% world-class
23. Education
317.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
89% world-class
25. Area Studies
59.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
68.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
83% world-class
27. English Language and Literature
32.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
96% world-class
28. History
52.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
91% world-class
29. Classics
14.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
90% world-class
30. Philosophy
32.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
87% world-class
31. Theology and Religious Studies
10.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
85% world-class
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
38.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
34. Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management
19.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
86% world-class
Source: REF 2021 results