Research Excellence Framework

During March 2021 we successfully completed our REF2021 submission. We are now in the REF2029 cycle.

The REF represents the single biggest routine assessment exercise that is conducted in and across UK Higher Education, and it is generally regarded by institutions as being the most important. Through the REF, each institution’s claims to research-related excellence and reputation are rigorously assessed by teams of leading academic peer reviewers and external ‘users’ of the institutions’ research products. The result of the excercise determines research funding to universities from the UK government for a six year period.