Research

The criteria for assessing the quality of outputs are 'originality, significance and rigour'.

Four star

Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

Three star

Quality that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but which falls short of the highest standards of excellence.

Two star

Quality that is recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

One star

Quality that is recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

Unclassified

Quality that falls below the standard of nationally recognised work. Or work which does not meet the published definition of research for the purposes of this assessment.

The criteria for assessing impacts are 'reach' and 'significance':

• In assessing the impact described within a case study, the panel will form an overall view about its 'reach and significance' taken as a whole, rather than assess 'reach and significance' separately.
• In assessing the impact template (REF3a) the panel will consider the extent to which the unit's approach described in the template is conducive to achieving impacts of 'reach and significance'.

Four star

Outstanding impacts in terms of their reach and significance.

Three star

Very considerable impacts in terms of their reach and significance.

Two star

Considerable impacts in terms of their reach and significance.

One star

Recognised but modest impacts in terms of their reach and significance.

Unclassified

The impact is of little or no reach and significance; or the impact was not eligible; or the impact was not underpinned by excellent research produced by the submitted unit.

The research environment will be assessed in terms of its 'vitality and sustainability'. Panels will consider both the 'vitality and sustainability' of the submitted unit, and its contribution to the 'vitality and sustainability' of the wider research base.

Four star

An environment that is conducive to producing research of world-leading quality, in terms of its vitality and sustainability.

Three star

An environment that is conducive to producing research of internationally excellent quality, in terms of its vitality and sustainability.

Two star

An environment that is conducive to producing research of internationally recognised quality, in terms of its vitality and sustainability.

One star

An environment that is conducive to producing research of nationally recognised quality, in terms of its vitality and sustainability.

Unclassified

An environment that is not conducive to producing research of nationally recognised quality.