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Research

RAE 2008

RAE 2008

The University's research excellence is reflected in the results of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008.

World Leading

  • 89% of Aberdeen’s research activity is of international quality and 55% is world leading or internationally excellent. (4* and 3*)
  • All of our 33 submissions have activity rated as world leading or internationally excellent

1st in the UK

  • 1st for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
  • 1st equal for Health Services Research

Outstanding Performance

Almost three quarters of our staff were submitted to units where at least half of the research activity was rated as world leading or internationally excellent (70%+)

  • Computer Science and Informatics (70%)
  • Health Services Research (80%)
  • Other Hospital Based Clinical Subjects (75%)
  • Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies (80%)
Arts and Social Sciences
Unit of Assessment FTE Category A staff 4* 3* 2* 1* U
16 Architecture, Built Environment and Planning 10.4 39 47 12 2 0
18 Economics and Econometrics 19.25 3 51 37 9 0
19 Business and Management Studies 13.3 31 42 25 2 0
20 Law 23.4 15 49 33 3 0
21 Politics and International Studies 11.2 7 43 37 13 0
23 Sociology 13 14 58 28 0 0
24 Anthropology and Development Studies 11 23 35 37 5 0
25 Education 9.6 8 59 29 4 0
28 Modern Languages and Linguistics 22 21 41 26 12 0
29 English Language and Literature 21.5 31 62 7 0 0
30 History 24 26 44 29 1 0
32 Philosophy 13.25 31 31 20 18 0
33 Theology and Religious Studies 19 29 39 24 7 1
35 Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts 11.36 15 51 23 8 3
Life Sciences and Medicine
Unit of Assessment FTE Category A staff 4* 3* 2* 1* U
4 Other Hospital Based Clinical Subjects  47.00 15 60 20  5 0 
6 Epidemiology and Public Health  18.80 10 50 35  5 0 
7 Health Services Research  29.40 25 55 20  0 0 
8 Primary Care and Other Community Based Clinical Subjects  12.30 25 40 25  10  0 
14 Biological Sciences  46.80 15 40 35  10  0 
15 Pre-clinical and Human Biological Sciences  35.00 5 35 35  15  10
Physical Sciences
Unit of Assessment FTE Category A staff 4* 3* 2* 1* U
16 Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science  20.00 20 35 40  5  0 
17 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences   14.53 10 50 35  5  0 
18 Chemistry  12.00 5 35 55 5  0 
20 Pure Mathematics  14.00 20 45 35  0  0 
23 Computer Science and Informatics  14.80 20 50 30  0  0 
25 General Engineering and Mineral & Mining Engineering  31.10 20 35 30  15  0 
31 Town and Country Planning  7.90 20 40 30 10  0 
32 Geography and Environmental Studies  25.70 10 40 40 10  0 

4* - World-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
3* - Internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but falls short of the highest standards of excellence.
2* - Recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
1* - Recognised nationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Unclassified - Quality that falls below the standard of nationally recognised work.