The University of Ulster is delighted with its strong performance in the results of the UK Research Assessment Exercise 2008 (RAE) announced today.

The results confirm the breadth and the depth of research excellence in each of the University's six faculties and four campuses.

In particular, the results for Nursing and Celtic Studies are outstanding, with 100% of research in these subjects classified as being of international quality.

In Nursing and Celtic Studies, Ulster is the only university in the whole of the UK to achieve this calibre of outcome.

Across the University as a whole, 86% of research activity has been rated as being of international quality, with almost 20% of this classified as world-leading.

Furthermore, the University of Ulster has consolidated its leading position in Biomedical Sciences, Law, Architecture and the Built Environment, Media Studies, and Art and Design.

The University has also seen improvement in virtually all other areas of its research portfolio.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett said:

"I am enormously proud that the achievements of our researchers have been recognised in this way.  For a regional university to achieve this level of research recognition is a superb accomplishment. This is great news for the University and for Northern Ireland.

"We are firmly on the international research map and our ambitions have been given great impetus by these outstanding results. They show clearly that we have outstanding talent and the ability to lead the field in research achievement.

Professor Norman Black, the University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), said that the results would have positive implications for prosperity and job creation in Northern Ireland and allow the University to access new external income streams: 

"The better our research is rated, the more external funding we can attract, thus driving innovation and growth in our economy and in our community.

"Together with our innovation partners throughout Northern Ireland and the successful spin-off companies, we are making a strong contribution to the health and well-being of the new Northern Ireland."

Full details of Ulster’s RAE 2008 results are available at http://research.ulster.ac.uk/rae/rae2008.html

For further information, please contact:

Martin Cowley
Telephone: 028 71675083
Email: Martin Cowley