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RAE 2008 results

In 2008, our research was assessed as part of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which evaluated the quality of research carried out by higher education institutions in the UK.

33 of the 34 research areas we submitted for assessment included a significant amount of research judged to be world-leading (4*), and nearly 60% of all of our research was assessed as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*); at least a third of our submissions ranked in the top quartile for their discipline.

We performed outstandingly in many areas, ranking first for the following units of assessment:

  • Allied Health Professions and Sciences* (School of Optometry and Vision Sciences)
  • Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology* (School of Medicine)
  • Psychology** (School of Psychology)
  • Sociology** (Cardiff School of Social Sciences)
  • Town and Country Planning** (Cardiff School of Geography and Planning)

* Calculated using the average percentage of 4* and 3* research.
** Calculated based on research power: multiplying the Grade Point Average by the number of FTE staff submitted.

Based on our RAE results, we have received cira 50% of the quality-related funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), available for distribution to the universities in Wales.

Department RAE comment
Architecture Ranked 4th among UK Schools of Architecture for research power.
Biosciences In the top 20 for Research Fortnight research power in Biological Sciences.
Business Ranked 4th for Business and Management Studies with 70% of research classified as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Chemistry 60% of Chemistry research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
City & Regional Planning Ranked first for Town and Country Planning research power, following the highest possible rankings in RAE 1996 and 2001.
Computer Science 70% of Computer Science and Informatics research considered to be world-leading or internationally excellent and in the top 20 for 4* and 3* research.
Dentistry Ranked 5th for research power in Dentistry with majority of research considered to be internationally excellent.
Earth, Ocean and Planetary Science 70% of research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent and in the top ten for 4* and 3* research in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences.
Engineering Rated 3rd for Civil Engineering and in the top ten for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering.
English, Communication and Philosophy Ranked 7th for research power in English Language and Literature, achieving the highest possible score for 'Environment and Esteem'.
European Studies Ranked 2nd for research power in European Studies.
History and Archaeology 85% of History research rated as world-leading, internationally excellent or recognised internationally.
Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies Ranked 4th for Communication, Cultural and Media Studies.
Law Ranked 7th for the percentage of 4* and *3 research in Law.
Mathematics In the top ten for research power in Pure Mathematics.
Manufacturing Engineering Centre In top ten for grade point average in Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering.
Medicine Ranked first for for 4* and 3* research in Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology. Rated joint 6th for 4* and 3* research in Primary Care and Other Community Based Clinical Subjects. In top ten for research power in Infection and Immunology.
Music 70% of research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Nursing and Midwifery 85% of Nursing and Midwifery research rated as world-leading, internationally excellent or recognised internationally.
Optometry and Vision Sciences Ranked 1st for Allied Health Professions and Sciences.
Pharmacy Ranked 5th for the percentage of 4* and 3* research in Pharmacy.
Physics and Astronomy 50% of research rated as world-leading or internationally recognised.
Psychology Ranked first for research power in Psychology. These results follow the highest possible ratings under the 1996 and 2001 assessments.
Religious and Theological Studies 90% of Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies research rated as world-leading, internationally excellent or recognised internationally.
Social Sciences 1st place for research power in Sociology.
Welsh Ranked 6th for research power in Celtic Studies.