'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

Lancaster University is ranked number one in the North West and 14^th in the UK out of 134 universities, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Twelve subjects in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are ranked in the UK top fifteen. They include Linguistics at number 2 in the UK and Social Work at number 3 in the UK.

• Linguistics # 2
• Social Work # 3
• Art and Design # 4
• Dance, Drama and Cinematics (Theatre Studies) # 5
• Communication and Media Studies (including Film Studies) # 6
• Creative Writing # 8
• Law #11
• French #11
• Criminology #12
• Iberian Languages (Spanish, Italian) #13
• Sociology #14 joint
• English #15

Graduate prospects

Several subjects are also highly ranked for Graduate Prospects by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, which demonstrates the high level of support that the Faculty provides. They include Art and Design #6, Dance, Drama and Cinematics (Theatre Studies) # 7, Linguistics #8, Criminology #12 and English #13.

The Complete University Guide 2025

Lancaster University remains best university in North West England in the Complete University Guide 2025, and is placed 11^th out of 130 UK universities.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has many subjects that rank among the best in the UK, and the Complete University Guide recognises our strength in preparing students for successful careers.

Lancaster is again ranked best in the UK for Social Work.

• Social Work #1
• Media Studies and Film #2
• Linguistics #3
• Italian #4
• Theatre Studies #4
• Creative Writing #6
• Architecture #7
• Art and Design #7
• French #7
• German #8
• English #10

The Faculty provides a high level of support to help our students find rewarding careers after they graduate. Among the subjects placed in the UK top ten for graduate prospects are French, Art and Design, Theatre Studies, English, Media Studies, Film studies, and Creative Writing.

LU News story

The Guardian University Guide

Lancaster University has continued its consistently strong league table performance, ranking 11th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2024.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has several subjects in the top 20:

• Social Work #1
• Fine Art #5
• Drama and Dance #6
• Creative Writing #6
• English #6 joint
• Media and Film Studies #11
• Criminology #16
• Languages and Linguistics #16
• Law #19

A number of subjects are highly ranked for satisfaction with teaching, including:

• Creative Writing #7
• Media and film studies #7
• Philosophy #8
• Law #9
• International Relations #13 joint
• Politics #16