Imperial College London is home to UK’s greatest concentration of world-leading and internationally excellent research, finds 2008 RAE

73% of staff research is judged world-leading or internationally excellent - News Release

Under embargo for:
00.01 GMT
Thursday 18 December 2008

Imperial College London is home to the greatest concentration of research rated world-leading and internationally excellent amongst all UK universities, according to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) results published today.

73% of the College’s staff have had their research judged as world-leading or internationally excellent (4* and 3*), the highest percentage of all UK multi-faculty universities. [See Notes to Editors]

The College also has six of the UK’s top-rated research areas (4*) in Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Epidemiology; Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering; History; and Pure Mathematics.

Imperial submitted 1225 staff to the 2008 assessment, an increase of 6.7% on the 2001 RAE. 93% of staff were selected for inclusion in the 2008 RAE compared to 87% in the 2001 RAE.

Rector of Imperial College London, Sir Roy Anderson, says:

“Imperial College London is very proud to be part of the UK university research success story. Imperial has once again demonstrated its commitment to, and achievement of, continued excellence, as it has in every previous RAE.

"I’m delighted by the results which show that Imperial College London is home to the greatest concentration of world-leading and internationally excellent research of all UK universities.

“I am particularly proud that Imperial has the top percentage score for research rated 4* or 3* of all UK multi-faculty universities. Furthermore, in achieving these results Imperial College has increased the total number of staff submitted since 2001, and has raised the percentage of academic staff selected for inclusion in the RAE."

Sir Roy underlined the value to the UK of rewarding those institutions which have consistently performed at the highest level in successive RAEs:

“Today’s results demonstrate again the value of selective funding, where resources flow to the highest quality research areas. The fact that the UK has four universities judged to be in the world’s top 10* is no accident. The UK’s top universities already punch well beyond their weight. Only by investing in this excellence will the UK maintain a globally competitive edge.”

“Therefore continued excellence must be recognised and rewarded. Universities like Imperial College that have consistently performed at the highest levels, and submitted a very high proportion of its staff, must receive substantial support.

*THE 2008 World Rankings

Imperial College London's full rankings are available at: www.imperial.ac.uk/rae/results

For further information contact:

Abigail Smith
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6701
Mobile: 07803 886248
Email: abigail.smith@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

About Imperial College London

Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 13,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.

Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk