Looking for the results?

Click on the links below to access further information on REF2014 and outcomes of previous RAEs:

Background

The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) was a periodic assessment of the quality of research taking place at eligible UK Higher Education Institution's (HEIs).  All UK HEIs were eligible to participate.  The purpose of the RAE was to produce quality profiles for each submission of research activity made by HEIs.  The four higher education funding bodies then used these quality profiles to determine the distribution of public funds for research.  Approximately 1 billion of research funding is allocated each year using the results of the previous RAE (RAE08) and this funding is used to maintain and develop the strength and international competitiveness of the research base in UK HEIs.

The exercise took place every five to six years and was managed by the RAE team based at the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies: HEFCE; the Scottish Funding Council (SFC); the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW); and the Department of Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland (DELNI).

The RAE has now been replaced by the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Research Excellence Framework

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK HEIs. Further information can be found on the College's REF website.