Research Assessment Exercise

The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is a periodic exercise conducted nationally to assess the quality of UK research and to inform the selective distribution of public funds for research by the UK’s higher education funding bodies with effect from 2009-10.

The results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008), published on the 18 December 2008, confirmed that the University of Surrey continues to consolidate its strength as a world-class research-intensive institution.

88% of Surrey's research activity was rated either 'world class' or 'internationally recognised' with 4 areas of research activity in the top 10 and a total of 9 areas ranked in the top 20.

The activities of 425 researchers from across all four faculties were submitted in 14 subject areas. Results show that almost half of Surrey's assessed research staff work in areas that have been ranked in the top 10.

55% of Surrey's units of assessment were rated as 'internationally excellent' or 'world class', with a further 44% ranked as 'recognised either nationally or internationally'.

The full 2008 RAE results are available at www.rae.ac.uk

A short video podcast by Professor Christopher Snowden can be viewed at www.surrey.ac.uk/gateway/video/rae2008

An analysis of the RAE results has been produced by the University Planning Department.

The University of Surrey's 2008 RAE Submission

The University of Surrey's 2008 submission included the following units of assessment (UOAs). Click on the links to find out more about our research in each UOA.

Results for 2001

The University of Surrey's position as a world-class research-led university was confirmed by the outcome of the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. The results are shown below. For a definition of the ratings, hover your mouse over the numbers or click on them to be taken to the table of definitions.

Unit of assessmentRating
13Psychology5
11Other studies and professions allied to medicine5*
18Chemistry3a
19Physics5
23Applied Mathematics5
24Statistics and Operational Research5
27AChemical Engineering - Environmental Strategy5
27ZChemical Engineering4
28Civil Engineering4
29Electrical and Electronic Engineering5*
30Mechanical, Aerospace and Manufacturing Engineering4
38Economics and Econometrics3a
42Sociology5*
43Business and Management Studies4
48European Studies5
54Russian, Slavonic and East European Languages5
66Drama, Dance and Performing Arts4
37Music3a
68Education4

Rating definitions

RatingDescription
 5*Quality that equates to attainable levels of international excellence in more than half of the research activity submitted and attainable levels of national excellence in the remainder.
 5Quality that equates to attainable levels of international excellence in up to half of the research activity submitted and to attainable levels of national excellence in virtually all of the remainder.
 4Quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in virtually all of the research activity submitted, showing some evidence of international excellence.
 3aQuality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in over two-thirds of the research activity submitted, possibly showing evidence of international excellence.

Page Owner: vce031
Page Created: Thursday 7 August 2008 15:04:00 by mf0009
Last Modified: Friday 20 November 2009 10:14:09 by mf0009
Expiry Date: Monday 20 February 2012 00:00:00
Assembly date: Tue Mar 26 15:58:42 GMT 2013
Content ID: 842
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