Northumbria was one of the best performing universities in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, rising the highest number of places in a ranking of 'research power' by THE. The university climbed to 23rd place from 50th in 2014 and 80th in 2008.^[41]

In the UK Research Assessment Exercise 2008 some research in nine of twelve areas submitted was described as "world-leading".^[42] In the 2014 Research Assessment Exercise, Northumbria was one of the UK top 50 for research power and the university which had risen fastest up the rankings.^[43]

Reputation and rankings

• Northumbria was named UK University of the Year by Times Higher Education in November 2022.
• Northumbria University is in the top 25 for research power in the UK, according to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, Times Higher Education REF2021 rankings.
• Northumbria University is the top University in the North East for sustainability, according to the People and Planet league table
• Northumbria is one of the highest ranked UK universities in the Times Higher Education's Young Universities Rankings (2022-).