Research quality

How research at University of York 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

2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

92.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

95% world-class

4. Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

39.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

5. Biological Sciences

69.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

93% world-class

7. Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

34.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

8. Chemistry

56.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

98% world-class

9. Physics

59.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

98% world-class

10. Mathematical Sciences

47.1 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

100% world-class

11. Computer Science and Informatics

44.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

98% world-class

12. Engineering

28.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

97% world-class

15. Archaeology

28.9 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

87% world-class

16. Economics and Econometrics

38.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

96% world-class

17. Business and Management Studies

59.7 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

18. Law

27.3 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

83% world-class

19. Politics and International Studies

41.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

92% world-class

20. Social Work and Social Policy

34.0 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

21. Sociology

25.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

88% world-class

23. Education

30.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

94% world-class

26. Modern Languages and Linguistics

19.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

98% world-class

27. English Language and Literature

42.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

98% world-class

28. History

45.4 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

30. Philosophy

17.6 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

91% world-class

32. Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

17.8 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

89% world-class

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

45.2 full-time-equivalent academics submitted research

85% world-class

Source: REF 2021 results