Research quality
How research at Ulster University 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
3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
140.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
31.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
74% world-class
11. Computer Science and Informatics
69.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
12. Engineering
39.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
52.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
91% world-class
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
19.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
17. Business and Management Studies
34.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
90% world-class
18. Law
14.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
82% world-class
20. Social Work and Social Policy
28.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
92% world-class
23. Education
11.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
83% world-class
24. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
19.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
89% world-class
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
16.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
79% world-class
27. English Language and Literature
12.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
80% world-class
28. History
9.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
67% world-class
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
31.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
83% world-class
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
15.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
73% world-class
34. Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management
12.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
77% world-class
Source: REF 2021 results