Research at University of Oxford
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
498.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
134.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
169.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
5. Biological Sciences
308.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
40.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
8. Chemistry
83.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
9. Physics
171.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
10. Mathematical Sciences
171.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
11. Computer Science and Informatics
73.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
12. Engineering
168.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
95.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
15. Archaeology
48.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
16. Economics and Econometrics
83.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
17. Business and Management Studies
84.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
18. Law
138.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
19. Politics and International Studies
114.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
20. Social Work and Social Policy
26.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
21. Sociology
44.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
22. Anthropology and Development Studies
97.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
23. Education
55.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
25. Area Studies
88.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
26. Modern Languages and Linguistics
139.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
27. English Language and Literature
116.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
28. History
172.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
29. Classics
90.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
30. Philosophy
98.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
31. Theology and Religious Studies
55.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
8.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
28.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research