What we call 'research power' is the overall quality of our submission (the 'grade point average' [GPA]) multiplied by the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of researchers submitted.
The top seven higher education institutions (HEIs) by 'research power'
Institution |
Total number of
FTE staff submitted |
Overall GPA (0-4) |
'Research power' (Overall GPA x FTE submitted) |
UCL | 2,566 | 3.22 | 8,252.70 |
Oxford | 2,409 | 3.34 | 8,039.31 |
Cambridge | 2,088 | 3.33 | 6,943.31 |
Edinburgh | 1,753 | 3.18 | 5,571.12 |
Manchester | 1,561 | 3.16 | 4,929.24 |
King's | 1,369 | 3.23 | 4,425.50 |
Nottingham | 1,404 | 3.09 | 4,335.50 |
Our 'research power' was rated top - not only in the overall
results, but in each of the three assessed elements of REF2014: publications
and other outputs; research environment; and research impact.
There are, of course, a number of other ways to calculate
'research power', such as varying the weightings of research rated 4*
("world-leading") and 3* ("internationally excellent"), including the following.
% of 4* research x FTE

Institution |
Total number of
FTE staff submitted |
% 4* | 4* x FTE |
Oxford | 2,409 | 48.07 | 1,158.14 |
UCL | 2,566 | 42.65 | 1,094.16 |
Cambridge | 2,088 |
46.82 |
977.50 |
Edinburgh | 1,753 | 37.65 | 659.98 |
Imperial | 1,257 | 46.40 | 583.24 |
King's | 1,369 | 40.22 | 550.63 |
Manchester | 1,561 | 35.26 | 550.43 |
Data source: REF 2014 Results Analysis Tool developed by Elsevier Analytical Services, part of Elsevier Research Intelligence
(% of 4* research x FTE x 3) + (% of 3* research x FTE)
This reflects the current HEFCE formula for Quality Related funding.

Institution |
Total number of
FTE staff submitted |
% 4* |
% 3* |
(4* x FTE x 3) + (3* x FTE) |
Oxford | 2,409 | 48.07 |
39.12 |
4,416.92 |
UCL | 2,566 | 42.65 |
39.49 |
4,295.63 |
Cambridge | 2,088 |
46.82 |
40.44 |
3,776.76 |
Edinburgh | 1,753 | 37.65 |
44.86 |
2,766.40 |
Manchester | 1,561 | 35.26 |
47.33 |
2,390.17 |
Imperial | 1,257 | 46.40 |
44.24 |
2,305.71 |
King's | 1,369 | 40.22 |
44.96 |
2,267.46 |
Data source: REF 2014 Results Analysis Tool developed by Elsevier Analytical Services, part of Elsevier Research Intelligence
Figures rounded to two decimal points; calculations based on exact figures.