Research performance
We鈥檙e known for our inspirational research at York, and the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 places us in the top 10 institutions in the UK for research.
Find out why our REF results are so significant - read our statement on our REF 2021 results.
What is REF?
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK鈥檚 system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions, undertaken by the four UK higher education funding bodies: , the (SFC), the (HEFCW), and the (DfE).
Expert review panels made up of senior academics, international members and research users assess research across 34 subject areas.
Results impact the Quality-related Research (QR) funding we receive from Research England. A good REF performance helps us secure our research base and continue to build our reputation as one of the world鈥檚 leading research universities.
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How does REF work?
REF takes place every seven years, with the latest results published in May 2022, having been postponed from 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. Each subject area is assessed under 鈥榰nits of assessment鈥, with higher education institutions deciding which areas to submit in.
Each REF submission includes: details of selected staff, research outputs, impact case studies, data about research income and PGR degrees awarded and a completed template to describe the research environment.
How is research scored?
Four star: world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Three star: internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but falls short of the highest standards.
Two star: recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
One star: recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Unclassified: falls below the standard of nationally recognised work, or does not meet the published definition.