Research quality

How research at University of Sussex 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

19.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

80% world-class

3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

63.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

53.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

5. Biological Sciences

63.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

8. Chemistry

18.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

87% world-class

9. Physics

42.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

10. Mathematical Sciences

22.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

11. Computer Science and Informatics

26.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

12. Engineering

26.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

14. Geography and Environmental Studies

32.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

16. Economics and Econometrics

22.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

97% world-class

17. Business and Management Studies

105.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

86% world-class

18. Law

55.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

77% world-class

19. Politics and International Studies

29.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

20. Social Work and Social Policy

15.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

21. Sociology

18.5 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

22. Anthropology and Development Studies

26.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

23. Education

20.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

25. Area Studies

16.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

27. English Language and Literature

39.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

28. History

30.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

89% world-class

30. Philosophy

12.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

9.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

97% world-class

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

15.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

87% world-class

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

45.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results