This post follows on from my recent list of 4* impact case studies from REF2021. As I acknowledged there, there aren’t unambiguously identifiable 4* impact case studies in all the UoAs. What if it’s one of these UoAs that you’re interested in? That’s the point of this post – to list the top 5(-ish) impact submissions in every UoA, including those where there were no clear 4* examples.
The impact case study database can be searched and filtered in a number of ways but (beyond sitting with a spreadsheet of REF results) there is no easy way to pick out the highest scoring examples. That’s where the list below comes in – click on the UoA of interest and you’ll uncover links to the highest scoring (publicly available) impact submissions in that area. The number in brackets is each institution’s impact GPA (scored out of 4). You’ll notice that many of my UoA lists below actually have more than a top 5 – this is where the last GPA is held by more than one institution.
1. Clinical MedicineUniversity College London (3.92)
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (3.92)
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (3.90)
University of Cambridge (3.89)
University of Oxford (3.84)
2. Public Health, Health Services and Primary CareLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (3.92)
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (3.90)
University of Cambridge (3.89)
University of Oxford (3.84)
University of Birmingham (4.00)
University of Nottingham (4.00)
University College London (3.95)
University of Bristol (3.94)
University of York (3.93)
3. Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and PharmacyUniversity of Nottingham (4.00)
University College London (3.95)
University of Bristol (3.94)
University of York (3.93)
King’s College London (3.86)
Glasgow Caledonian University (3.86)
University of Strathclyde (3.86)
University of Dundee (3.83)
University of Hull (3.80)
University of Keele (3.80)
University of Southampton (3.80)
4. Psychology, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceGlasgow Caledonian University (3.86)
University of Strathclyde (3.86)
University of Dundee (3.83)
University of Hull (3.80)
University of Keele (3.80)
University of Southampton (3.80)
Birkbeck College (4.00)
Coventry University (4.00)
University of Edinburgh (4.00)
University of Hertfordshire (4.00)
Oxford Brookes University (4.00)
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (4.00)
University of Southampton (4.00)
5. Biological SciencesCoventry University (4.00)
University of Edinburgh (4.00)
University of Hertfordshire (4.00)
Oxford Brookes University (4.00)
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (4.00)
University of Southampton (4.00)
University of Leicester (3.90)
University of Dundee (3.83)
Institute of Cancer Research (3.83)
University of Kent (3.83)
University of Sheffield (3.75)
6. Agriculture, Food and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of Dundee (3.83)
Institute of Cancer Research (3.83)
University of Kent (3.83)
University of Sheffield (3.75)
University of Bristol (4.00)
University of East Anglia (4.00)
University of Plymouth (4.00)
University of Stirling (4.00)
Queen’s University of Belfast (3.83)
Royal Veterinary College (3.83)
7. Earth Systems and Environmental SciencesUniversity of East Anglia (4.00)
University of Plymouth (4.00)
University of Stirling (4.00)
Queen’s University of Belfast (3.83)
Royal Veterinary College (3.83)
Bangor University (3.92)
University of Lancaster (3.83)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.83)
University of York (3.83)
University of East Anglia (3.75)
University of Exeter (3.75)
University of Manchester (3.75)
Manchester Metropolitan University (3.75)
8. ChemistryUniversity of Lancaster (3.83)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.83)
University of York (3.83)
University of East Anglia (3.75)
University of Exeter (3.75)
University of Manchester (3.75)
Manchester Metropolitan University (3.75)
King’s College London (4.00)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (4.00)
University of Liverpool (3.88)
University of Cambridge (3.83)
University of East Anglia (3.83)
Queen’s University of Belfast (3.83)
9. PhysicsUniversity of Newcastle upon Tyne (4.00)
University of Liverpool (3.88)
University of Cambridge (3.83)
University of East Anglia (3.83)
Queen’s University of Belfast (3.83)
University of Cambridge (3.89)
University of Manchester (3.86)
University of Sheffield (3.83)
University of Nottingham (3.80)
University of Portsmouth (3.75)
University of Strathclyde (3.75)
10. Mathematical SciencesUniversity of Manchester (3.86)
University of Sheffield (3.83)
University of Nottingham (3.80)
University of Portsmouth (3.75)
University of Strathclyde (3.75)
University of Lancaster (4.00)
London Metropolitan University (4.00)
Swansea University (4.00)
University of Glasgow (3.90)
University of Oxford (3.90)
11. Computer Science and InformaticsLondon Metropolitan University (4.00)
Swansea University (4.00)
University of Glasgow (3.90)
University of Oxford (3.90)
University of Birmingham (4.00)
University of Edinburgh (4.00)
Edinburgh Napier University (4.00)
University of Glasgow (4.00)
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (4.00)
Queen Mary University of London (4.00)
University of Southampton (4.00)
12. EngineeringUniversity of Edinburgh (4.00)
Edinburgh Napier University (4.00)
University of Glasgow (4.00)
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (4.00)
Queen Mary University of London (4.00)
University of Southampton (4.00)
University of Oxford (3.90)
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (3.87)
University of Cambridge (3.82)
University of Nottingham (3.82)
University of Liverpool (3.79)
13. Architecture, Built Environment and PlanningImperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (3.87)
University of Cambridge (3.82)
University of Nottingham (3.82)
University of Liverpool (3.79)
University of Strathclyde (4.00)
University of Cambridge (3.88)
Loughborough University (3.83)
University of Sheffield (3.83)
University of Huddersfield (3.75)
14. Geography and Environmental StudiesUniversity of Cambridge (3.88)
Loughborough University (3.83)
University of Sheffield (3.83)
University of Huddersfield (3.75)
University of Glasgow (4.00)
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (3.88)
Loughborough University (3.83)
University of Sussex (3.83)
University of Bristol (3.75)
London School of Economics and Political Science (3.75)
15. ArchaeologyImperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (3.88)
Loughborough University (3.83)
University of Sussex (3.83)
University of Bristol (3.75)
London School of Economics and Political Science (3.75)
University of Cambridge (4.00)
University of Durham (4.00)
University of Leicester (4.00)
University of Oxford (3.88)
Cardiff University (3.75)
University of Reading (3.75)
University of Southampton (3.75)
16. Economics and EconometricsUniversity of Durham (4.00)
University of Leicester (4.00)
University of Oxford (3.88)
Cardiff University (3.75)
University of Reading (3.75)
University of Southampton (3.75)
University of Cambridge (3.88)
University of Warwick (3.80)
London School of Economics and Political Science (3.70)
University of Nottingham (3.67)
University of Manchester (3.63)
17. Business and Management StudiesUniversity of Warwick (3.80)
London School of Economics and Political Science (3.70)
University of Nottingham (3.67)
University of Manchester (3.63)
Middlesex University (3.79)
School of Oriental and African Studies (3.75)
University of Westminster (3.75)
University of Exeter (3.71)
University of Manchester (3.70)
18. LawSchool of Oriental and African Studies (3.75)
University of Westminster (3.75)
University of Exeter (3.71)
University of Manchester (3.70)
University of Greenwich (4.00)
University of Leeds (4.00)
Queen’s University of Belfast (4.00)
University of Exeter (3.90)
University College London (3.90)
19. Politics and International StudiesUniversity of Leeds (4.00)
Queen’s University of Belfast (4.00)
University of Exeter (3.90)
University College London (3.90)
Cardiff University (4.00)
University of East Anglia (4.00)
University of Strathclyde (4.00)
University of Westminster (3.83)
University of Edinburgh (3.80)
20. Social Work and Social PolicyUniversity of East Anglia (4.00)
University of Strathclyde (4.00)
University of Westminster (3.83)
University of Edinburgh (3.80)
University of Bristol (4.00)
University of East Anglia (4.00)
London School of Economics and Political Science (4.00)
University of Sunderland (4.00)
University of Bath (3.88)
University of Southampton (3.88)
21. SociologyUniversity of East Anglia (4.00)
London School of Economics and Political Science (4.00)
University of Sunderland (4.00)
University of Bath (3.88)
University of Southampton (3.88)
University of Sussex (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University of Oxford (3.88)
University of Durham (3.83)
City, University of London (3.75)
22. Anthropology and Development StudiesUniversity of York (4.00)
University of Oxford (3.88)
University of Durham (3.83)
City, University of London (3.75)
University of East Anglia (4.00)
Goldsmiths’ College (3.83)
London School of Economics and Political Science A (3.83)
University of Birmingham (3.75)
University of Manchester A (3.75)
University of Reading (3.75)
School of Oriental and African Studies A (3.75)
23. EducationGoldsmiths’ College (3.83)
London School of Economics and Political Science A (3.83)
University of Birmingham (3.75)
University of Manchester A (3.75)
University of Reading (3.75)
School of Oriental and African Studies A (3.75)
University of Birmingham (4.00)
Cardiff University (4.00)
University of Durham (4.00)
University of Lancaster (4.00)
University of Oxford (4.00)
University of Sheffield (4.00)
University of Sussex (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
24. Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and TourismCardiff University (4.00)
University of Durham (4.00)
University of Lancaster (4.00)
University of Oxford (4.00)
University of Sheffield (4.00)
University of Sussex (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University of Exeter (4.00)
King’s College London (4.00)
University of Leicester (4.00)
University of Portsmouth (4.00)
University of Bath (3.88)
University of Edinburgh (3.88)
25. Area StudiesKing’s College London (4.00)
University of Leicester (4.00)
University of Portsmouth (4.00)
University of Bath (3.88)
University of Edinburgh (3.88)
University of Exeter (4.00)
University of the Highlands and Islands (4.00)
University College London B (4.00)
School of Oriental and African Studies (3.75)
London Metropolitan University (3.67)
London School of Economics and Political Science (3.67)
26. Modern Languages and LinguisticsUniversity of the Highlands and Islands (4.00)
University College London B (4.00)
School of Oriental and African Studies (3.75)
London Metropolitan University (3.67)
London School of Economics and Political Science (3.67)
University of Essex (4.00)
University of Lancaster (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University of Liverpool (3.83)
University of Central Lancashire (3.75)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.75)
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (3.75)
27. English Language and LiteratureUniversity of Lancaster (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University of Liverpool (3.83)
University of Central Lancashire (3.75)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.75)
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College (3.75)
University of Bedfordshire (4.00)
Birkbeck College (4.00)
Birmingham City University (4.00)
Cardiff University (3.90)
University of Leeds (3.88)
University of Leicester (3.88)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.88)
28. HistoryBirkbeck College (4.00)
Birmingham City University (4.00)
Cardiff University (3.90)
University of Leeds (3.88)
University of Leicester (3.88)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.88)
University of Hull (4.00)
University of Kent (4.00)
University of York (3.88)
University of Sussex (3.83)
University of Exeter (3.80)
University of Glasgow (3.80)
29. ClassicsUniversity of Kent (4.00)
University of York (3.88)
University of Sussex (3.83)
University of Exeter (3.80)
University of Glasgow (3.80)
University of Kent (4.00)
University of Manchester (4.00)
King’s College London (3.83)
University of Warwick (3.75)
University of Exeter (3.67)
University of Nottingham (3.67)
30. PhilosophyUniversity of Manchester (4.00)
King’s College London (3.83)
University of Warwick (3.75)
University of Exeter (3.67)
University of Nottingham (3.67)
University of Southampton (4.00)
University College London (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University of Liverpool (3.75)
University of Manchester (3.75)
University of Sussex (3.75)
31. Theology and Religious StudiesUniversity College London (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
University of Liverpool (3.75)
University of Manchester (3.75)
University of Sussex (3.75)
University of Birmingham (4.00)
University of Exeter (4.00)
University of Kent (4.00)
University of Aberdeen (3.75)
University of Nottingham (3.75)
32. Art and Design: History, Practice and TheoryUniversity of Exeter (4.00)
University of Kent (4.00)
University of Aberdeen (3.75)
University of Nottingham (3.75)
University of Manchester (4.00)
University of Oxford (4.00)
University of Westminster (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
Cardiff Metropolitan University (3.83)
University of Glasgow (3.83)
Sheffield Hallam University (3.83)
33. Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen StudiesUniversity of Oxford (4.00)
University of Westminster (4.00)
University of York (4.00)
Cardiff Metropolitan University (3.83)
University of Glasgow (3.83)
Sheffield Hallam University (3.83)
Anglia Ruskin University (4.00)
Guildhall School of Music & Drama (4.00)
University of Kent (4.00)
University of Manchester A (4.00)
Queen Mary University of London A (4.00)
Roehampton University A (4.00)
Roehampton University B (4.00)
School of Oriental and African Studies (4.00)
University of Ulster (4.00)
34. Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information ManagementGuildhall School of Music & Drama (4.00)
University of Kent (4.00)
University of Manchester A (4.00)
Queen Mary University of London A (4.00)
Roehampton University A (4.00)
Roehampton University B (4.00)
School of Oriental and African Studies (4.00)
University of Ulster (4.00)
London School of Economics and Political Science (4.00)
Loughborough University (4.00)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.88)
Cardiff University (3.83)
University of Liverpool (3.83)
Loughborough University (4.00)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne (3.88)
Cardiff University (3.83)
University of Liverpool (3.83)
I hope this all makes sense and helps you find some useful impact case study examples, whatever your area. Any issues, just leave a comment or get in touch!
