Our academic excellence

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is a leading academic research centre in the UK and has achieved many awards that recognise the excellence of our teaching and research.

REF success

We came second in the Times Higher Education league table of university research quality, impact and environment compiled from the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

The ICR was ranked as best in biological sciences, and the third-leading higher education institution in the UK for the impact of our research on society – thanks to our strategy of combining world-class basic cancer research with a determination to take discoveries to patients.

Teaching excellence

The excellence of our teaching has been recognised by the award of World-Leading Specialist Provider Status by the Office for Students (OfS) in 2022 with the next assessment due in 2027. The ICR was one of only 20 higher education institutions (HEIs) in England to be awarded this status. It is intended to recognise the higher cost and distinctive nature of small and specialist higher education providers, and the public value that these institutions bring to the sector. The ICR was commended for its longstanding provision of teaching for more than a century, providing postgraduate research training, as well as teaching our MSc course from which many graduates become NHS oncology consultants. The OfS highlighted the world-leading qualities of the ICR's staff as being integral to this success.

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