REF2014 HE results and analysis
Higher education results, rankings, commentaries and editorials

The results of the Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF2014), carried out by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), were published on 18 December 2014.
Classification | Overall quality profile description |
---|---|
4* | World-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour |
3* | Internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour but which nonetheless 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 |
U/C Unclassified | Work not meeting published definition of research for the purposes of the REF or which falls below national standards |
Understanding what these results mean, for HE institutions in terms of future research funding in the UK, is best demonstrated using rankings.
Research Fortnight and Times Higher Education have applied their own sector analysis to produce rankings that have been used by universities:
Research Fortnight
Times Higher Education (THE)
For further information on the latest findings from the results analysed:
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