REF 2014
The 2014 Research Excellence Framework confirmed our place as a world-leading university. The results demonstrated our research excellence across a range of disciplines, putting us in the top 10 per cent of all UK universities.
![REF 2014 graphics](http://cdn.sheffield.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_single_column_1x/public/2018-04/ref-2014-firth-court-rotunda.png.jpg?itok=yqiDTmkl)
The quality of research in universities across the UK is assessed periodically by the Research Excellence Framework (REF). These results were published in December 2014.
View the latest results - REF 2021
The REF is a peer-review exercise, involving expert researchers, as well as users of research from industry, business, and the public and third sectors.
The assessment takes three elements into consideration:
- the quality of research outputs, such as books, journal articles, conference proceedings and datasets
- the strength of the impact of research – the difference our research has made beyond the University
- the quality of the research environment – policies in place to support staff and doctoral students, facilities and resources and the contribution of our academic staff to their discipline.
99% of research at Sheffield was assessed as internationally recognised or better:
- 33% world leading
- 52% internationally excellent
- 13% internationally recognised
- 1% nationally recognised
The full results for Sheffield are detailed below:
REF 2014 presents the results by subject area and quality is graded as follows:
- 4* world leading
- 3* internationally excellent
- 2* internationally recognised
- 1* nationally recognised
In the table below, 'unit' refers to unit of assessment.
Unit | Multiple submission | Cat A FTE submitted | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | UC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Clinical Medicine | 63.95 | 28 | 58 | 14 | 0 | 0 | |
2 | Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care | 74.32 | 30 | 62 | 7 | 1 | 0 | |
3 | Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy | A: Dentistry | 33.2 | 30 | 62 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
3 | Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy | B: Biomedical Science | 64.66 | 55 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
4 | Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience | 33.45 | 38 | 42 | 18 | 1 | 0 | |
5 | Biological Sciences | 44.9 | 48 | 44 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
7 | Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences | 23.9 | 19 | 61 | 19 | 1 | 0 | |
8 | Chemistry | 29.2 | 21 | 77 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
9 | Physics | 30 | 23 | 67 | 9 | 1 | 0 | |
10 | Mathematical Sciences | 34 | 20 | 69 | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
11 | Computer Science and Informatics | 30.5 | 47 | 45 | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
12 | Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering | A: Mechanical Engineering and Advance Manufacturing | 44.6 | 22 | 67 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
12 | Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering | B: Chemical and Biological Engineering | 30 | 18 | 71 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
13 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials | A: Electronic and Electrical Engineering | 34.8 | 25 | 72 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
13 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials | B: Materials Science and Engineering | 34.8 | 23 | 69 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
14 | Civil and Construction Engineering | 34.8 | 25 | 70 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
15 | General Engineering | 21.8 | 44 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
16 | Architecture, Built Environment and Planning | 34 | 48 | 37 | 14 | 1 | 0 | |
17 | Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology | A: Archaeology | 17.6 | 26 | 46 | 23 | 5 | 0 |
17 | Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology | B: Geography | 24.9 | 25 | 56 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
18 | Economics and Econometrics | 14.9 | 13 | 48 | 31 | 0 | 8 | |
19 | Business and Management Studies | 34.5 | 33 | 48 | 17 | 2 | 0 | |
20 | Law | 24.4 | 34 | 55 | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
21 | Politics and International Studies | 18 | 52 | 37 | 10 | 1 | 0 | |
22 | Social Work and Social Policy | 17.8 | 26 | 53 | 20 | 1 | 0 | |
25 | Education | 14.5 | 38 | 56 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
27 | Area Studies | 14 | 13 | 54 | 30 | 3 | 0 | |
28 | Modern Languages and Linguistics | A: Languages and Culture | 33.2 | 31 | 41 | 23 | 5 | 0 |
28 | Modern Languages and Linguistics | B: Linguistics | 7 | 28 | 45 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
29 | English Language and Literature | 39.05 | 40 | 42 | 16 | 2 | 0 | |
30 | History | 27.45 | 45 | 41 | 13 | 1 | 0 | |
32 | Philosophy | 19.2 | 33 | 52 | 15 | 0 | 0 | |
33 | Theology and Religious Studies | 4 | 21 | 51 | 28 | 0 | 0 | |
35 | Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts | 12.42 | 48 | 36 | 14 | 2 | 0 | |
36 | Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management | 22.3 | 38 | 34 | 20 | 8 | 0 |