Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Research Excellence Framework (REF)
About REF
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a system to asses the quality of research in the UK and its impact and application beyond academia. It is the current system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions and happens every seven years.
Why is it important?
This process maintains transparency and accountability and, sets national benchmarks for allocation of future public funding and investment. The REF assessment process measures:
- The quality of research outputs
- The impact of research beyond academia
- The research environment that supports research
REF 2029 Institutional Code of Practice
The REF remains the UK's cornerstone framework for assessing research quality across higher education. As part of REF 2029, all participating institutions are required to operate under an approved Code of Practice, ensuring that submission processes align with national expectations and principles of fairness.
Our code reflects a genuinely collaborative effort, shaped through extensive consultation across the university. Contributions have come from directors of research and knowledge Exchange, REF governance groups, the University Executive Team, deans of schools, the EDI committee, colleague networks, trade unions, attendees at university-wide information sessions, the Research and Enterprise Committee, and Academic Board, ensuring a broad and inclusive range of perspectives.
Our university's Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 Institutional Code of Practice was formally approved by Research England in June 2026. This marks an important milestone, affirming LBU's commitment to delivering a fair, transparent and inclusive approach to our REF 2029 submission.
Access our REF 2029 Code of Practice
REF 2021 - How did we perform?
Our results of the REF 2021 demonstrated the university’s delivery of high-quality and high impact research.
The REF 2021 results showed that 53% of the university’s submission was rated 3* and 4* and therefore considered internationally excellent or world-leading.
Results were particularly strong for Leeds Beckett in sport and exercise science, leisure and tourism where 89% of the submission was rated 4* or 3*. In the allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy unit, 80% of the submission was rated 4* and 3*.
of submissions in sport and exercise science, leisure and tourism were rated 3* or 4*.
of submissions in allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy were rated 3* or 4*.
The 2021 results reflect the breadth of the university’s research and our submission included 352 research staff across 15 units of assessment, double the number of staff included in REF 2014.
View the full news story and our REF 2021 submissions below.
How did we perform?
Our REF2014 results clearly evidenced Leeds Beckett's commitment to lead the way in addressing some of the pressing challenges of modern life. We have demonstrated our progress on expanding and enhancing our research base through our institutes and centres, creating a strong and sustainable research environment for our staff and students and evidencing the impact we make through our applied research.
Over a quarter of academic staff at the university submitted work over eleven areas of research, demonstrating the breadth of work taking place here at Leeds Beckett.
In terms of the 'research power' calculation, which accounts for both the quality and the quantity of research, Leeds Beckett came second in the country for Sport and Exercise Science, Leisure and Tourism – up from third in 2008 - with 59% of the research submitted being assessed as world leading or internationally excellent.
We also came in the top ten in the Communication, Culture and Media Studies, Library and Information Management unit.
The university’s results for the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning unit – which it entered for the first time - were also noteworthy, with 37% of its research being rated world leading or internationally excellent.
