Our reputation
Our achievements
- 2nd in the UK for communication and media studies (The Complete University Guide 2021)
- 3rd in the UK for research power in media and communication (Research Excellence Framework 2014)
- 5th in the UK for communication and media studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020)
- 6th in the UK for communication and media studies (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021)
- 6th in the UK for film production and photography (Guardian University League Tables 2020)
- 9th in the UK for media and film studies (Guardian University League Tables 2020)
- 11th in the UK for communication (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020)
- 95% overall PhD student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2019
- 92% of our students find employment or further study within six months of graduating (Higher Education Statistics Agency 2018)
- 86% overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019
World rankings
- 28th in the world for communication and media studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020)
- Among the top 150 in the world for communication studies (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020)
- A world top 100 university (QS World University Rankings 2021)
- 35th most international university in the world (Times Higher Education 2020)
University awards
- We achieved a gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, the highest award possible
- We were named University of the Year 2017 by The Times and The Sunday Times' Good University Guide
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014
Every six years, the UK’s four higher education funding bodies undertake an exercise to measure the quality of research undertaken by UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The funding bodies use the outcomes to inform the allocation of their research funding to HEIs.
According to the Research Excellence Framework 2014:
- We’re 3rd in the UK for research power in media and communication
- 82% of our research is ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’
- 100% of our research is ranked ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in terms of impact.
The quality of our research and the funding it attracts means we’re able to invest in world-class facilities and academic staff who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research. As a result, our students will be taught by internationally renowned, inspirational academics working at the forefront of their fields.