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The University of Southampton
Health Sciences

University of Southampton’s School of Health Sciences retains world-leading position in research excellence

Published: 16 May 2022
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The School of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton has retained its position as a world leader in research excellence following the publication of the results of the Research Excellence Framework 2021 – the largest and most comprehensive assessment of research in the world.

Our research was assessed within Unit of Assessment 3 for Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy. Highlights include:

  • We are ranked in the top 3 UK Universities in the overall quality of our research within our disciplines.
  • We provide a world-leading research environment (Environment 100% 4*, highest possible score).
  • We deliver world-leading and internationally excellent research impact, transforming care through evidence-based solutions to some of today's most pressing health problems.

The School is delivering world-leading impact with its research in safe staffing, cancer survivorship, technologies to support fundamental care such as skin and continence care and ultrasound imaging in podiatry and physiotherapy. For further information see our impact case studies. For further information about our research groups see Active living for healthHealth Needs, Fundamental care and Health Work.

Professor Sara Demain, Head of School of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton, comments, “Yet again Health Sciences at Southampton has delivered an outstanding REF result. At our School everything we do is powered by world-class research and we are proud to pioneer advances in clinical practice to shape the future of healthcare delivery. These results reflect the sustained hard work from everyone at the School and our research partners over the last few years and will form the basis of our future ambitions at the School.”

“At the School of Health Sciences, we believe first class research is one of the key drivers to delivering care of the highest quality and ensuring that nursing and allied health professions continue to be professions that attract the brightest and the best. We are particularly proud that our research environment supports staff and students to excel and that our research impact is fundamentally improving patient experience and driving NHS policy to make a difference to patient.”

Nursing at the School of Health Sciences ranks 5th in the world and 2nd in the UK (QS World Rankings by Subject 2022). We are ranked 1st in the UK for Physiotherapy in the Complete University Guide 2022 and 3rd in the UK for Occupational Therapy (Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Complete University Guide 2022).  We are the highest ranked university in the world offering Podiatry in the QS World University Rankings 2022 and the only UK podiatry programme at a Russell Group university.

For the University of Southampton as a whole, the results of the REF show that 92% per cent of Southampton’s research activity is considered internationally excellent or world-leading, placing the University once again amidst the top 20 leading research institutions in the country.

For further information about REF2021, please visit the REF2021 website. 

 

 

 

 

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