Research quality

How research at University of Sunderland 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

29.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

73% world-class

11. Computer Science and Informatics

6.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

58% world-class

12. Engineering

5.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

63% world-class

20. Social Work and Social Policy

13.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

56% world-class

23. Education

8.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

37% world-class

24. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism

8.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

52% world-class

27. English Language and Literature

6.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

72% world-class

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

11.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

82% world-class

34. Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management

7.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

63% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results