Research Rating

The Department has consistently been given the highest rating from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in its periodical Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 

The RAE sub-panel noted that the largest proportion of research outputs was world- leading, with almost all the remainder divided between the internationally excellent and internationally recognised quality levels.  It pointed out that the Department's research environment was predominantly world-leading.  It observed that postgraduate student numbers, completion rates and studentships were high.  The research structure and culture were considered very strong, the emphasis on methodology standing out.  It deemed the esteem indicators of world-leading standard, as evidenced by the high levels of journal editorship, prizes, keynote addresses and policy advice.  The Department's hosting of the European Consortium of Political Research was commended.

The RAE-2008 ranking of the sub-Panel of Politics and International Relations (from the Times Higher Education) based on G.P.A.

1    Essex 3.15 
2    Sheffield 3.15 .
3    Aberystwyth 2.95
4    Oxford 2.85 
5    LSE 2.80 
6    UCL 2.75 .
7    SOAS 2.65 
8    Sussex (IR) 2.65 
9    Warwick 2.65
10   Exeter 2.60 1
11   Nottingham 2.50 
12   Cambridge 2.50       

There have been six Research Assessment exercises sine the first in 1986 and on each occasion the Department has achieved the top grade available. Essex has reconfirmed its position as the UK's leading university in the social sciences with Politics and Sociology ranked in first position and Economics in third position nationally. Overall Essex ranks ninth among UK universities for the quality of its research

Last modified on 29 March 2010