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Research Excellence Framework

Victoria Museum and Gallery

The University of Liverpool reinforced its place as a world leading research institution in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

REF is a periodic peer review of research and impact carried out at UK Higher Education Institutions. Expert panels are appointed to review research in three distinct categories: knowledge and contribution, engagement and impact, and people, culture and environment.

In 2021, our sector position for research quality and size improved across the board, with nine research units achieving a top ten ranking for their outstanding impact.

91%

of our research is world leading or internationally excellent

9

of our units are in the top ten for outstanding research impact

19th

in the UK for our research power

Our results

The University of Liverpool’s research spans 23 subject-based REF units of assessment. View a summary of results for each unit of assessment below.

Female doctor talking to a female patient in a hospital

Clinical Medicine

Ranked 11th in the UK for Research Power, with 100% of our impact rated outstanding or very considerable.

Mother and Father in garden with little boy

Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care

Ranked joint 3rd in the UK for world leading or internationally excellent research.

Young boy sitting at table with ipad

Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Ranked joint 1st in the UK for our world leading environment and placed in the top 10 for Research Power overall.

Group of students having a discussion in cow barn

Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science

We have the top Veterinary School return for 4* overall research, in this unit of assessment.

Anglesy coastline being hit by waves

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Ranked 9th in the UK for 4* and 3* research overall. 100% of our impact and environment is 4* and 3*.

3D image of molecules

Chemistry

3rd in the UK for outstanding (4*) research impact, 7th for research overall, joint 9th for research outputs and joint 10th for research environment.

Group of researchers looking at a laptop

Physics

Top 10 in the UK for research outputs, based on GPA, and joint 7th in the UK for research environment, based on GPA.

Abstract computer code

Mathematical Sciences

95% of our research outputs are rated as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) and 90% of our research impact is rated as outstanding (4*) or very considerable (3*).

Data servers in a data centre

Computer Science and Informatics

5th in the UK for world leading (4*) research outputs, and 100% of research environment rated as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).

Robotic arms in the Digital Innovation Facility

Engineering

6th in the UK for outstanding (4*) impact and 17th in the UK for world leading (4*) overall quality.

Liverpool waterfront and Liverpool Museum

Architecture, Built Environment and Planning

Ranked 5th in the sector for overall research classified as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).

Antarctic ice melting

Geography and Environmental Studies

Joint 8th in the UK for world leading (4*) research environment and 14th in the UK for research power.

Roman coin covered in dirt

Archaeology

Ranked 5th in the sector for research power.

University of Liverpool Management School

Business and Management Studies

100% of Business and Management’s overall research environment is classified as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).

European Union and Union Jack flags

Law

Law is ranked 10th in the sector for outstanding (4*) research impact.

Houses of Parliament, London

Politics and International Studies

Politics is ranked 8th in the sector for research impact classified as outstanding (4*).

Group of workers in high-vis and hard hats

Social Work and Social Policy

Ranked 3rd in the sector for research outputs classified as world leading (4*), out of 75 submissions.

Man reading page of a book

Modern Languages and Linguistics

Ranked 4th in the sector overall for research classified as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).

Book, coffee and vase on a table in a garden

English Language and Literature

Ranked 10th in sector for research impact classified as outstanding (4*).

Old map of Liverpool with image of woman

History

100% of History’s research environment was classified as world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).

Man is thinking, 3D illustration

Philosophy

Philosophy is ranked 4th in the sector for research impact classified as outstanding (4*).

Tung auditorium

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

Music are placed in the top quartile (quartile 4) for impact classified as outstanding (4*).

Family sitting at table with father working on laptop

Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management

Ranked 4th in the sector for outstanding (4*) research impact.

Definitions of metrics quoted can be found here.