Our reputation

Our reputation

Faculty of Biological Sciences Building

Top 30 for Biological Sciences

One of the world-leading faculties within the life sciences in terms of our research power, subject diversity and teaching excellence. All our courses are at the forefront of knowledge, so you'll be taught by leading experts with their teaching content reflecting the latest developments in the fields of biological sciences and sports and exercise sciences.

Our achievements

University awards

The University of Leeds is a Russell Group University whose reputation and achievements include:

Employability awards

Sustainability awards

Global Community awards


Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Our academics were returned in four different Units of Assessment (UoAs), with the majority in UoA5 (Biological Sciences) and UoA24 (Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism).

  • In these two UoAs, 88% (UoA5) and 95% (UoA24) of the research submitted was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. 
  • The majority of research publications (outputs) submitted were rated as either ‘world -leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ - (86% (UoA5) and 92% (UoA24)).    

Every six years, the UK’s four higher education funding bodies undertake an exercise to measure the quality of research undertaken by UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The funding bodies use the outcomes to inform the allocation of their research funding to HEIs. The Research Excellence Framework was the framework used in 2021.

The quality of our research and the funding it attracts means we’re able to invest in world-class facilities and academic staff who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research. As a result, you’ll be taught by internationally renowned, inspirational academics working at the forefront of their fields – academics who share your passion for the subject.