Research Excellence Framework 2014

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the current system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The results from this and future REF exercises are important for the University of St Andrews as they have strong influence on the Scottish Funding Council’s financial support for the School of Biology, the national and international league tables, as well as for the School’s reputation and its recruitment potential.

In the REF 2014, the impact of research undertaken in Biological Sciences in St Andrews was rated top in Scotland and second across the UK. The research behind four of the six case studies presented for the School of Biology was carried out at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, demonstrating the cutting edge and highly relevant work carried out in the unit.