Research at University of Cambridge
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
363.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
99.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
150.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
5. Biological Sciences
246.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
6. Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences
51.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
46.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
8. Chemistry
77.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
9. Physics
148.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
10. Mathematical Sciences
152.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
11. Computer Science and Informatics
80.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
12. Engineering
255.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
46.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
48.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
15. Archaeology
47.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
16. Economics and Econometrics
48.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
17. Business and Management Studies
61.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
18. Law
113.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
19. Politics and International Studies
48.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
21. Sociology
31.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
39.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
23. Education
59.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
25. Area Studies
43.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
115.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
27. English Language and Literature
104.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
28. History
135.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
29. Classics
58.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
30. Philosophy
72.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
31. Theology and Religious Studies
42.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
34.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
26.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research