Research quality
How research at University of Plymouth 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
24.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
78% world-class
3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
48.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
80% world-class
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
42.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
84% world-class
6. Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences
19.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
89% world-class
7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
61.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
10. Mathematical Sciences
22.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
69% world-class
11. Computer Science and Informatics
14.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
65% world-class
12. Engineering
34.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
85% world-class
13. Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
13.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
94% world-class
14. Geography and Environmental Studies
27.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
67% world-class
17. Business and Management Studies
31.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
64% world-class
18. Law
15.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
68% world-class
20. Social Work and Social Policy
14.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
88% world-class
23. Education
25.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
67% world-class
27. English Language and Literature
13.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
95% world-class
28. History
11.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
84% world-class
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
14.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
61% world-class
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
7.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research
79% world-class
Source: REF 2021 results