Swansea University has demonstrated an extraordinarily strong performance against other UK universities in the disciplines of Engineering, Medicine and Computer Science, where almost all staff were classed as producing world-leading or internationally excellent research in the RAE 2008 results announced today. 

The results also highlight outstanding internationally recognised research excellence in Geography, Economics, Welsh, History, English, Social Work and Social Policy.

THE Table of Excellence with derived Power table - [PDF]

Overall at Swansea University, almost 50 per cent of staff submitted for assessment have been given the highest 4* and 3* ratings, which, according to the RAE, means they are producing research which is world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of its originality, significance and rigour. 

Within Wales, out of 31 subject areas submitted, Swansea University came first in 17 areas in Wales, and first or second in 24 areas.  This is a huge endorsement of Swansea University’s development and investment plans over the past few years.

“We are delighted with these results, which are a demonstration of the way in which world-class research has become fully embraced within our overall ethos as one of the UK’s established research-led universities,” comments Swansea University Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard B Davies.  “It is particularly encouraging to see such strong results from those areas of the University that are already identified to drive our growth over the next five to ten years.”

The RAE highlights particular research expertise at Swansea University, as well as an overall recognition of its robust research culture.  When the profile for each Unit of Assessment is turned into a weighted average, Swansea University’s Civil Engineering department, which has scored consistently highly in previous research assessment exercises, achieves an overall UK ranking of second, just behind Imperial College, and ahead of Cardiff University in third place.    92 per cent of staff within the University's School of Engineering are classed as producing research of international quality or above (grades 4*, 3* and 2*).

In its first submission for assessment, 87 per cent of staff in the School of Medicine staff were assessed as producing research of international quality or above (grades  4*, 3* and 2*).  This is an unusually high score for a new School and is testament to the quality of the staff and their ability to nurture a research-focused environment, while developing and teaching an innovative medical degree course. 

Professor Davies said: “What is especially pleasing about these results is the way in which our strategic investment in research over the past seven years has yielded good results in areas which are mission critical to the future vision of the University.  This confidence in our ongoing international research credentials gives us the remit to follow up our ambitious instincts to begin addressing our wider challenges and opportunities, including the knowledge economy, skills agenda, internationalization and our plans to expand the University’s campus and facilities.  These strong results put us in an excellent position, along with our continued investment programme, to achieve our high ambitions.”

For further information about research at Swansea University, please visit www.swansea.ac.uk/research.

For further information about the RAE 2008, please visit www.rae.ac.uk