Oxford Faculty of Law rated largest and strongest in the country for research
The Research Excellence Framework 2014 depicts Oxford as the largest and strongest University for legal research in the United Kingdom in respect of publications, in respect of impact, and overall.
The REF is the United Kingdom’s peer review exercise for assessment of research quality in particular subjects, in all UK universities. It serves as a basis for the UK government’s allocation of research funding. The panel for each subject assesses each university with respect to its faculty members’ publications over the previous five years, the impact of its research outside academia, and its research environment, and compiles ratings within each category at 1*, 2*, 3* or 4*.
In the REF 2014, the Oxford Faculty of Law:
- Scored substantially higher than any other university for the quantity of 4* research, and for the quantity of 4* + 3* research in Law.
- Submitted work by the highest number of academics in Law (109; the next highest was 76).
- Produced 19% more top-rated (4*) publications than the next highest university.
- Submitted the largest number of impact case studies at 12 (that number is determined by the number of academics whose work is submitted); the next highest was 9.
- Scored first for the quantity of impact that was rated at 4*.
- Attained the highest ‘Power’ rating for Law, at 100; the next highest was 75 (as calculated by Research Fortnight). The Power rankings reflect the quantity of highly-rated research.
Oxford University rated highest in the country across all subjects for the quantity of top-rated research, and highest in twelve particular subject areas (one of which is Law).
Overall results for a selection of leading research universities in Law:
| Academic staff submitted | 4*% | 4*% rank | 4*+ 3*% | 4+3% rank | 4* x FTE | 4* x FTE rank | 4+3* x FTE | 4+3* x FTE rank |
Oxford | 108.88 | 40 | 11 | 84 | 13 | 43.6 | 1 | 91.5 | 1 |
Cambridge | 75.80 | 44 | 6 | 88 | 5 | 33.4 | 2 | 66.7 | 2 |
LSE | 62.87 | 53 | 2 | 88 | 5 | 33.3 | 3 | 55.3 | 3 |
Edinburgh | 54.00 | 42 | 8 | 77 | 23 | 22.7 | 5 | 41.6 | 4 |
UCL | 47.04 | 50 | 3 | 84 | 13 | 23.5 | 4 | 39.5 | 5 |
KCL | 33.88 | 54 | 1 | 90 | 1 | 18.3 | 6 | 30.5 | 11 |
Impact:
A selection of our impact case studies is available on our Research pages of our website:
The Death Penalty in China - the road to reform
Shaping the law of unjust enrichment
Reducing the risks of sham contracts of employment
Additional information:
The REF 2014 results for research in Law.
The University of Oxford’s information about the exercise.
See Research Fortnight for the power rankings.
For press enquiries, contact Esme Wilks, Communications Manager, on +44 (0)1865 271484 or email: esme.wilks@law.ox.ac.uk.