REF results by subject area
View a breakdown of REF 2021 results by individual Unit of Assessment below.
See the assessment criteria and level definitions [PDF 591KB].
See our overall table of REF results.
1 – Clinical Medicine
School: Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
19.20 |
16 |
64 |
16 |
3 |
1 |
80 |
2.91 |
30 (/31) |
Outputs |
19.20 |
27.1 |
45.8 |
20.9 |
4.1 |
2.1 |
72.9 |
2.92 |
30 (/31) |
Impact |
19.20 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.00 |
29 (/31) |
Environment |
19.20 |
0.0 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
75.0 |
2.75 |
28 (/31) |
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3 – Allied Health Professions*
School: Brighton and Sussex Medical School and University of Brighton
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
63.90 |
39 |
46 |
14 |
0 |
1 |
85 |
3.22 |
33 (/91) |
Outputs |
63.90 |
23.0 |
57.0 |
17.7 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
80 |
3.00 |
52 (/91) |
Impact |
63.90 |
50.0 |
38.9 |
11.1 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
88.9 |
3.39 |
27 (/91) |
Environment |
63.90 |
87.5 |
12.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.88 |
14 (/91) |
*joint submission with University of Brighton: Total FTE of submitted staff for joint submission – 120.
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4 – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
School: Psychology
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
53.90 |
50 |
38 |
12 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
88 |
3.38 |
18 (/93) |
Outputs |
53.90 |
39.2 |
40.8 |
19.2 |
0.0 |
0.8 |
80.0 |
3.18 |
22 (/93) |
Impact |
53.90 |
60.0 |
40.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.60 |
30 (/93) |
Environment |
53.90 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.75 |
15 (/93) |
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5 – Biological Sciences
School: Life Sciences
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
63.80 |
35 |
59 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
94 |
3.28 |
22 (/44) |
Outputs |
63.80 |
43.1 |
47.5 |
8.2 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
90.6 |
3.32 |
19 (/44) |
Impact |
63.80 |
30.0 |
70.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.30 |
23 (/44) |
Environment |
63.80 |
12.5 |
87.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.13 |
23 (/44) |
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8 – Chemistry
School: Life Sciences
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
18.30 |
29 |
58 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
87 |
3.16 |
28 (/41) |
Outputs |
18.30 |
17.4 |
67.4 |
15.2 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
84.8 |
3.02 |
34 (/41) |
Impact |
18.30 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.75 |
8 (/41) |
Environment |
18.30 |
0.0 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
75.0 |
2.75 |
30 (/41) |
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9 – Physics
School: Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
42.70 |
42 |
52 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
94 |
3.35 |
26 (/44) |
Outputs |
42.70 |
40.2 |
55.1 |
3.8 |
0.9 |
0.0 |
95.3 |
3.35 |
26 (/44) |
Impact |
42.70 |
25.0 |
62.5 |
12.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
87.5 |
3.13 |
29 (/44) |
Environment |
42.70 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.75 |
7 (/44) |
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10 – Mathematical Sciences
School: Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
22.00 |
35 |
60 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
95 |
3.3 |
26 (/54) |
Outputs |
22.00 |
41.8 |
56.4 |
1.8 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
98.2 |
3.40 |
18 (/54) |
Impact |
22.00 |
33.3 |
50.0 |
16.7 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
83.3 |
3.17 |
37 (/54) |
Environment |
22.00 |
12.5 |
87.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.13 |
28 (/54) |
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11 – Computer Science and Informatics
School: Engineering and Informatics
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
26.90 |
47 |
49 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
96 |
3.43 |
22 (/90) |
Outputs |
26.90 |
53.7 |
38.8 |
7.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
92.5 |
3.46 |
19 (/90) |
Impact |
26.90 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.50 |
26 (/90) |
Environment |
26.90 |
12.5 |
87.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.13 |
26 (/90) |
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12 – Engineering
School: Engineering and Informatics
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
26.20 |
11 |
74 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
85 |
2.94 |
48 (/89) |
Outputs |
26.20 |
10.6 |
77.3 |
9.1 |
3.0 |
0.0 |
87.9 |
2.96 |
55 (/89) |
Impact |
26.20 |
16.7 |
66.6 |
16.7 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
83.3 |
3.00 |
48 (/89) |
Environment |
26.20 |
0.0 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
75.0 |
2.75 |
42 (/89) |
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14 – Geography and Environmental Studies
School: Global Studies (Geography)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
32.05 |
45 |
49 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
94 |
3.38 |
13 (/56) |
Outputs |
32.05 |
33.8 |
56.2 |
8.8 |
1.2 |
0.0 |
90.0 |
3.23 |
22 (/56) |
Impact |
32.05 |
83.3 |
16.7 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.83 |
3 (/56) |
Environment |
32.05 |
25.0 |
75.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.25 |
20 (/56) |
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16 – Economics and Econometrics
School: University of Sussex Business School (Economics)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
22.60 |
37 |
60 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
97 |
3.34 |
13 (/25) |
Outputs |
22.60 |
28.1 |
66.6 |
5.3 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
94.7 |
3.23 |
13 (/25) |
Impact |
22.60 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.50 |
6 (/25) |
Environment |
22.60 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.50 |
12 (/25) |
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17 – Business and Management Studies
School: University of Sussex Business School
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
105.85 |
39 |
47 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
86 |
3.23 |
28 (/108) |
Outputs |
105.85 |
34.3 |
48.0 |
16.1 |
0.4 |
1.2 |
82.3 |
3.14 |
27 (/108) |
Impact |
105.85 |
50.0 |
37.5 |
12.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
87.5 |
3.38 |
35 (/108) |
Environment |
105.85 |
37.5 |
62.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.38 |
30 (/108) |
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18 – Law
School: Law, Politics and Sociology
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
55.90 |
34 |
43 |
23 |
0 |
0 |
77 |
3.11 |
30 (/69) |
Outputs |
55.90 |
33.8 |
44.6 |
21.6 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
78.4 |
3.12 |
27 (/69) |
Impact |
55.90 |
40.0 |
20.0 |
40.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
60.0 |
3.00 |
39 (/69) |
Environment |
55.90 |
25.0 |
75.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.25 |
17 (/69) |
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19 – Politics and international studies
School: Global Studies (International Relations)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
29.25 |
44 |
47 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
91 |
3.35 |
13 (/56) |
Outputs |
29.25 |
43.8 |
44.1 |
15.1 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
84.9 |
3.29 |
11 (/56) |
Impact |
29.25 |
33.3 |
66.7 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.33 |
20 (/56) |
Environment |
29.25 |
62.5 |
37.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.63 |
9 (/56) |
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20 – Social Work and Social Policy
School: Education and Social Work
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
15.00 |
23 |
72 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
95 |
3.18 |
26 (/76) |
Outputs |
15.00 |
21.1 |
71.0 |
7.9 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
92.1 |
3.13 |
22 (/76) |
Impact |
15.00 |
25.0 |
75.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.25 |
30 (/76) |
Environment |
15.00 |
25.0 |
75.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.25 |
23 (/76) |
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21 – Sociology
School: Law, Politics and Sociology (Sociology)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
18.50 |
45 |
40 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
85 |
3.28 |
12 (/37) |
Outputs |
18.50 |
32.6 |
52.2 |
15.2 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
84.8 |
3.17 |
16 (/37) |
Impact |
18.50 |
100.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
4.00 |
1 (/37) |
Environment |
18.50 |
0.0 |
62.5 |
25.0 |
12.5 |
0.0 |
62.5 |
2.50 |
22 (/37) |
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22 – Anthropology and Development Studies
School: Global Studies (Anthropology)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
26.80 |
41 |
51 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
92 |
3.33 |
7 (/26) |
Outputs |
26.80 |
34.3 |
52.3 |
13.4 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
86.6 |
3.21 |
11 (/26) |
Impact |
26.80 |
66.7 |
33.3 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.67 |
8 (/26) |
Environment |
26.80 |
25.0 |
75.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.25 |
22 (/26) |
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23 – Education
School: Education and Social Work
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
20.60 |
57 |
31 |
11 |
1 |
0 |
88 |
3.44 |
12 (/83) |
Outputs |
20.60 |
38.5 |
42.3 |
17.3 |
1.9 |
0.0 |
80.8 |
3.17 |
14 (/83) |
Impact |
20.60 |
100.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
4.00 |
1 (/83) |
Environment |
20.60 |
62.5 |
37.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.63 |
13 (/83) |
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25 – Area Studies
School: Law, Politics and Sociology (Politics)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
16.00 |
42 |
54 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
96 |
3.38 |
10 (/23) |
Outputs |
16.00 |
40.0 |
52.5 |
7.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
92.5 |
3.33 |
7 (/23) |
Impact |
16.00 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100 |
3.50 |
8 (/23) |
Environment |
16.00 |
37.5 |
62.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100 |
3.38 |
10 (/23) |
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27 – English language and literature
School: Media, Arts and Humanities (English)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
39.00 |
58 |
36 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
94 |
3.52 |
14 (/92) |
Outputs |
39.00 |
54.1 |
36.7 |
9.2 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
90.8 |
3.45 |
13 (/92) |
Impact |
39.00 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.50 |
24 (/92) |
Environment |
39.00 |
87.5 |
12.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.88 |
10 (/92) |
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28 – History
School: Media, Arts and Humanities (History)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
30.10 |
54 |
35 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
89 |
3.41 |
15 (/81) |
Outputs |
30.10 |
36.0 |
45.3 |
16.0 |
2.7 |
0.0 |
81.3 |
3.15 |
36 (/81) |
Impact |
30.10 |
83.3 |
16.7 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.83 |
4 (/81) |
Environment |
30.10 |
77.5 |
22.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.78 |
8 (/81) |
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30 – Philosophy
School: Media, Arts and Humanities (Philosophy)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
12.00 |
37 |
48 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
85 |
3.22 |
14 (/35) |
Outputs |
12.00 |
30.0 |
50.0 |
20.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
80.0 |
3.10 |
20 (/35) |
Impact |
12.00 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.75 |
4 (/35) |
Environment |
12.00 |
0.0 |
80.0 |
20.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
80.0 |
2.80 |
24 (/35) |
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32 – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
School: Media, Arts and Humanities (Art History)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
9.00 |
61 |
36 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
97 |
3.58 |
8 (/86) |
Outputs |
9.00 |
60.9 |
34.8 |
4.3 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
95.7 |
3.57 |
3 (/86) |
Impact |
9.00 |
75.0 |
25.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.75 |
8 (/86) |
Environment |
9.00 |
40.0 |
60.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.40 |
39 (/86) |
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33 – Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
School: Media, Arts and Humanities (Music, Drama)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
15.00 |
35 |
52 |
10 |
3 |
0 |
87 |
3.19 |
34 (/84) |
Outputs |
15.00 |
28.9 |
50.0 |
15.8 |
5.3 |
0.0 |
78.9 |
3.03 |
39 (/84) |
Impact |
15.00 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.50 |
24 (/84) |
Environment |
15.00 |
37.5 |
62.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.38 |
37 (/84) |
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34 – Communication, Cultural and Media Studies
School: Media, Arts and Humanities (Media, Journalism & Cultural Studies; Film Studies; Creative & Critical Media Practice)
Profile type | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) | GPA Rank (THE) |
Overall |
45.10 |
51 |
43 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
94 |
3.42 |
11 (/58) |
Outputs |
45.10 |
48.7 |
41.6 |
5.3 |
4.4 |
0.0 |
90.3 |
3.35 |
8 (/58) |
Impact |
45.10 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.50 |
17 (/58) |
Environment |
45.10 |
62.5 |
37.5 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
100.0 |
3.63 |
13 (/58) |
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Results by panel for Unit of Assessment
View our combined results for the Units of Assessment within each of the main REF panels.
University of Sussex (All units)
Measure | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) |
Overall |
885.75 |
40.6 |
48.4 |
10.1 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
89 |
3.28 |
Outputs |
885.75 |
35.4 |
50.1 |
13.1 |
1 |
0.4 |
85.5 |
3.20 |
Impact |
885.75 |
50 |
42.9 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
93 |
3.43 |
Environment |
885.75 |
45.9 |
51.2 |
2.6 |
0.3 |
0 |
97.1 |
3.43 |
Main panel A:
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
(UoAs 1, 3, 4, 5)
Measure | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) |
Overall |
116.51 |
38.6 |
48.9 |
11.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
87.5 |
3.25 |
Outputs |
116.51 |
31.7 |
50.4 |
15.9 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
82.1 |
3.11 |
Impact |
116.51 |
43.4 |
51.4 |
5.2 |
0 |
0 |
94.8 |
3.38 |
Environment |
116.51 |
59.7 |
38.4 |
1.9 |
0 |
0 |
98.1 |
3.58 |
Main panel B:
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Informatics
(UoAs 8, 9,10,11,12)
Measure | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) |
Overall |
90.12 |
34.1 |
57.7 |
7.4 |
0.7 |
0 |
91.9 |
3.25 |
Outputs |
90.12 |
34.4 |
58 |
6.8 |
0.9 |
0 |
92.4 |
3.26 |
Impact |
90.12 |
36.4 |
53.8 |
9.8 |
0 |
0 |
90.2 |
3.27 |
Environment |
90.12 |
28 |
63.8 |
8.2 |
0 |
0 |
91.8 |
3.2 |
Main panel C:
Social Sciences
(UoAs 14, 16,17,18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Measure | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) |
Overall |
197.35 |
39.9 |
47.5 |
12 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
87.4 |
3.26 |
Outputs |
197.35 |
34.1 |
50.2 |
14.9 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
84.3 |
3.17 |
Impact |
197.35 |
56.3 |
32.8 |
10.9 |
0 |
0 |
89.1 |
3.45 |
Environment |
197.35 |
35.1 |
62.8 |
1.4 |
0.7 |
0 |
97.9 |
3.32 |
Main panel D:
Arts and Humanities
(UoAs 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34)
Measure | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U/C | 4*/3* | GPA (THE) |
Overall |
119.3 |
50.4 |
41.8 |
6.4 |
1.4 |
0 |
92.2 |
3.41 |
Outputs |
119.3 |
44.4 |
43.2 |
10.3 |
2.2 |
0 |
87.5 |
3.3 |
Impact |
119.3 |
59.2 |
40.8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
100 |
3.59 |
Environment |
119.3 |
60.7 |
37.9 |
1.4 |
0 |
0 |
98.6 |
3.59 |
GPA (THE) and GPA Rank (THE) data from Times Higher Education (THE).