RAE Results 2008

RAE08 & Durham University - in context

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise or RAE08 aimed to produce quality profiles for each submission of research activity (Unit of Assessment or UoA) made by higher education institutions.

The four higher education funding bodies (HEFCE, HEFCW, DEL and SFC) will use the quality profiles to determine their grant for research to the institutions which they fund with effect from 2009-10. Any HEI in the UK that is eligible to receive research funding from one of these bodies was eligible to participate. The results of the RAE determine how much money the University will be awarded for its general research activities as well as feeding in to league tables.

Durham University is a medium-sized higher-education institution with a renowned, research-led culture and success in RAE08 in terms of both the volume and quality of our research input reflects this commitment to excellence.

Durham University's International Quality

The University submitted a higher number of research active staff than any of our comparator institutions in the 1994 Group.

90% of the research which our staff submitted was assessed as being at least of International Quality (2* and above) in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

This is a higher percentage than many of the larger institutions which form the Russell Group of UK universities.

See an overview of Durham's RAE success

School of Modern Languages and Cultures: Results

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures has achieved significant success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. Progress since the 2001 RAE is particularly evident in the departments of Arabic, German and Hispanic Studies, all graded 4 in 2001, which are now among the top departments in the country. French, graded 5 in 2001, has consolidated its position, while Italian and Russian, entered for the first time in 2008, have demonstrated a clear majority of internationally recognised research activity, with some activity in both judged to be world-leading.

When ranked against the sector on the basis of the proportion of 4* (world-leading) and 3* (internationally excellent) research activity, Durham's language departments occupy the following positions:

German: 1st equal
Arabic: 4th
Hispanic Studies: 4th equal
Russian: 9th equal
French: 12th equal
Italian 15th equal

Reaction

Professor Tom McLeish, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham says: "This is an excellent set of results for Durham University reflecting the international breadth and significance of our Departments' research." Professor David Cowling, Head of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, commented: "Durham's results are particularly pleasing when viewed in terms of our decision to submit 100% of our eligible staff across all units of assessment, which gives an accurate picture of the excellence of my colleagues' research right across the School."

What does Durham's RAE result really mean for prospective students?

With 90% of Durham's research assessed as being of International Quality and examples of World-Leading (4*) research excellence in every department, you are guaranteed to study in an academic environment of great quality. More importantly, we invite you to actively participate in our research environment through seminars, conferences, and workshops .

If thinking of coming to Durham for post-graduate research at PhD or Masters level you will know that you are entering a research environment second to none, will be receiving the guidance of scholars and researchers at the very front of their field internationally, and be given the chance to participate in your chosen research field at the global level.