Excellence in Teaching and Research

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Excellence in Research

For RAE2008 each submission of research received a Quality Profile indicating the percentage of activity judged to be at each of one of five quality levels, in terms of originality, significance and rigour: 4* (World-leading), 3* (Internationally excellent), 2* (Internationally recognised), 1* (Nationally recognised) or Unclassified.

The results show that 85% of research activity submitted by Aberystwyth University is of an international standard, with world leading research identified in 15 of the 16 subject areas submitted.

These mean that Aberystwyth University is now second only to Cardiff University in Wales for quality of research according to two leading publications, the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) and Research Fortnight. The Research Fortnight RAE2008 Quality Index of University Research places Aberystwyth 41st out of 119 in the UK, and according to the THES Aberystwyth University has climbed 15 places to 45th out of a total of 132 Universities.

The findings also reveal that 48% of research activity at Aberystwyth University is rated as world leading or internationally excellent and 97.4% of researchers work in disciplines where world leading research is undertaken.

Five academic departments (1 in 3 of submissions) had at least 60% of their research activity rated 4* or 3* that include International Politics, Computer Science, IGERS, Welsh and Theatre, Film and Television Studies.