Reputation and Rankings

'Remarkable results' in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021)

The quality of our research in Arts and Social Sciences has been independently assessed as world leading and internationally excellent. It has also been confirmed that we are achieving real-world impact and positive change through our research.

Two departments in the Faculty achieved the highest possible score for impact in the Research Excellence Framework results published on 12^th May 2022.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF), carried out approximately every seven years, assesses the quality of research across UK universities and demonstrates its impact on a domestic and global stage. One of Lancaster’s significant strengths is the way that top academics use their world-class research to inform their teaching.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

‌‌The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is among the best in the world and is ranked in the world top 50 for Art and Humanities.

All four of the Faculty’s disciplines are ranked within the world top 100 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023.

• Arts and Humanities is ranked 42
• Law is ranked 89
• Education is ranked 51
• Social Sciences is ranked 93

Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide

Six subjects in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are ranked in the UK top ten by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

• Communication and Media Studies (including Film Studies) # 2
• Linguistics # 2
• Social Work # 3
• Art and Design # 4
• Creative Writing # joint 6
• Dance, Drama and Cinematics (Theatre Studies) # 7

Lancaster is ranked 12th in the UK in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

Graduate prospects

Several subjects are also highly ranked for Graduate Prospects by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, which demonstrates the high level of support that the Faculty provides.

• Communication and Media Studies (including Film) #5
• Linguistics #5
• English #6
• Art and Design #7
• Social Work #10

The Complete University Guide 2024

Lancaster University is placed in the UK top ten out of 130 universities across the UK by the Complete University Guide 2024.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has many subjects that rank in the UK top ten, and our strength in preparing students for successful careers is recognised in the latest rankings from the Complete University Guide.

• Social Work #1
• Media Studies and Film #2
• Linguistics and Theatre Studies #3

Other subjects that rank among the best in the UK are Italian (4^th), Creative Writing (6^th), Art and Design (8^th), French (9^th), and German (9^th).

The Faculty provides a high level of support to help our students find rewarding careers after they graduate. Theatre Studies is ranked second in the UK for graduate prospects, while Creative Writing is ranked joint second. Religious Studies is ranked joint 5^th, Media Studies and Film Studies joint 7^th, Italian joint 8^th, and Linguistics joint 10th This reflects the success of Arts and Social Science graduates in finding professional positions or continuing on to further study after they graduate.

The Guardian University Guide

Lancaster University has continued its consistently strong performance in 2023, ranking 14th in the UK. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has several subjects in the top 20.

• Fine Art #2
• Social Work #4
• English #7
• Drama #8
• Media and Film #9
• Criminology #17
• Law #19

Drama is ranked top in the UK for Student Satisfaction. Other subjects that have top ten rankings for Student Satisfaction are English, Fine Art, International Relations, Media and Film Studies, and Philosophy.

English, Language and Linguistics, Law, Media and Film Studies, and Philosophy all come in the top ten in the UK for Graduate Prospects.