Research quality

How research at University of Manchester 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

221.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

89% world-class

2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

85.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

86% world-class

3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

125.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

94.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

89% world-class

5. Biological Sciences

143.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

70.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

99% world-class

8. Chemistry

76.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

100% world-class

9. Physics

87.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

98% world-class

10. Mathematical Sciences

90.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

99% world-class

11. Computer Science and Informatics

53.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

99% world-class

12. Engineering

311.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

27.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

93% world-class

14. Geography and Environmental Studies

36.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

16. Economics and Econometrics

36.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

17. Business and Management Studies

163.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

18. Law

52.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

82% world-class

19. Politics and International Studies

51.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

21. Sociology

55.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

22. Anthropology and Development Studies

65.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

23. Education

31.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

87% world-class

25. Area Studies

16.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

75% world-class

26. Modern Languages and Linguistics

54.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

27. English Language and Literature

41.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

28. History

44.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

29. Classics

18.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

30. Philosophy

16.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

90% world-class

31. Theology and Religious Studies

11.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

74% world-class

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

14.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies

30.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

93% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results