# REF 2021

**Source**: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/
**Parent**: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/

[RESEARCH EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK (REF) 2021](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/)

- [Careers](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/)
- [Library](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/)
- [Current Students](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/)
- [Staff](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/staffandstudents/)
- [News & Press](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/)
- [Events](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/university-events/)
- [Contact](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/contact/)

[Logo](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ "Newcastle University")

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK (REF) 2021

- [Units of Assessment (UoAs)](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/units-of-assessment/)
- [Our Approach to REF 2021](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/our-approach/)

- [Careers](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/)
- [Library](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/)
- [Current Students](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/)
- [Staff](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/staffandstudents/)
- [News & Press](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/)
- [Events](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/university-events/)
- [Contact](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/contact/)

Search for something

Search...
Search...

## REF2021 confirms growth in research excellence and impact at Newcastle

The national assessment of research performance has reported world-leading research with outstanding impact for society and the economy across all disciplines at Newcastle University.

The results show that the University’s research capacity - or ‘power’ in REF terms - has grown by 65% since 2014. 42% of our research was scored as world-leading up from 31% in 2014.

[Find out more about our REF 2021 results](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2022/05/ref2021results)

## Scope and scale

The REF 2021 website describes the **excellence of our research environment, outputs and impact** since the previous REF in 2013/14.

Over the course of the REF cycle (2013-2020) **we have grown** our:

- **turnover** from £405m to £571m per annum
- **research income** from £93m to £109m
- **student numbers** from around 22,800 to over 29,000

We **have contributed more than £1bn to UK GDP** and **supported 16,390 UK jobs**.

[## Units of Assessment (UoA)

In REF 2021 we submitted to 28 Units of Assessment (UoAs) across the four main panels. We encompass contributions of staff and students from the University’s three faculties during the current REF cycle.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/units-of-assessment/)
[## Our approach to REF 2021

We welcomed the reforms to REF that followed the Stern review. As captured in our code of practice, our approach has emphasised ‘collective excellence’.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/our-approach/)

[REF 2021 results](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/results/)