Research Excellence Framework 2021 results
Discover what makes Manchester Met a leading university for research.
REF explained
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) assesses the quality of research in UK higher education.
Its results inform the allocation of research funding, provide benchmarking information for rankings and give accountability for public investment in research.
The REF measures the:
- quality of research outputs
- significance and reach of impact
- sustainability of the research environment
It also enables a calculation of research power — the grade point average multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent staff submitted.
The most recent REF was announced in 2022. The next REF is planned for 2029.
Manchester Met REF 2021 results
We are one of the top modern universities for research quality: 30% of our research, across more than 740 academics, has been rated as world-leading.
Research Excellence Framework (2021)
We are one of the top modern universities for research quality: 30% of our research, across more than 740 academics, has been rated as world-leading.
Research Excellence Framework (2021)
Response
World-leading research
Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press welcomes the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and recognises the contributions of our people.Headline results
Unit of assessment highlights
Breakdown by unit of assessment
-
Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted
Overall 21 60 19 0 91.97 Outputs 28.3 52.1 19.2 0.4 Impact 14.3 71.4 14.3 0 Environment 0 75 25 0 -
Art and Design
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 41 43 14 2 116.26 Outputs 28.9 45 23.4 2.7 Impact 55.6 44.4 0 0 Environment 62.5 37.5 0 0 -
Business and Management Studies
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 31 47 20 2 78.65 Outputs 18.8 44.7 32.9 3.6 Impact 50 50 0 0 Environment 50 50 0 0 -
Computer Science and Informatics
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 17 49 26 8 23 Outputs 27.6 58.6 13.8 0 Impact 0 50 16.7 33.3 Environment 0 12.5 87.5 0 -
Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 33 47 19 1 40 Outputs 23 59 17 1 Impact 75 25 0 0 Environment 0 37.5 62.5 0 -
Education
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 29 55 14 2 46.3 Outputs 25 50.9 21.5 2.6 Impact 50 50 0 0 Environment 12.5 75 12.5 0 -
Engineering
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 32 54 13 1 48.5 Outputs 21.5 66.9 9.1 2.5 Impact 75 25 0 0 Environment 0 50 50 0 -
English Language and Literature
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 52 39 9 0 54.7 Outputs 43.8 41.6 14.6 0 Impact 70 30 0 0 Environment 52.5 47.5 0 0 -
History
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 27 56 17 0 34.9 Outputs 35.6 42.6 21.8 0 Impact 0 83.3 16.7 0 Environment 35 65 0 0 -
Social Work and Social Policy
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 20 51 28 1 46.61 Outputs 17.1 53 29 0.9 Impact 25 37.5 37.5 0 Environment 25 62.5 12.5 0 -
Sociology
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 16 52 30 2 45.5 Outputs 15.8 47.4 34.2 2.6 Impact 25 50 25 0 Environment 0 75 25 0 -
Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
Measure World leading (4*) % Internationally excellent (3*) % Recognised internationally (2*) % Recognised nationally (1*) % Full-time equivalent staff submitted Overall 37 57 6 0 52.8 Outputs 39.4 55.3 5.3 0 Impact 30 60 10 0 Environment 37.5 62.5 0 0
Missions and stories
-
![Researcher tightening bolts inside a test chamber]()
Research missions
Find out more -
![A performance at the Manchester Voices Glass House event as part of the Manchester International Festival in 2019]()
Research impact stories
Read our impact stories
