Our reputation

The School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) is a vibrant school where academic research informs and ignites our teaching. We provide the academic tuition and theoretical training to explore the current challenges of our global society.

School of Politics and International Studies rankings

• Top 25 in the UK for Politics, Complete University Guide 2027

University of Leeds rankings

• 77th in the world, QS World University Rankings 2027
• 9th most targeted by employers, High Fliers 2026 Report
• Top 20 in the UK, Complete University Guide 2027 
• Top 10 UK student city, Best Student Cities 2027
• We are a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities 

Gender equality

We have been commended for our strong and continued commitment to gender equality in the form of a prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze award. 

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Every six years, the UK’s four higher education funding bodies undertake an exercise to measure the quality of research undertaken by UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The funding bodies use the outcomes to inform the allocation of their research funding to HEIs. The Research Excellence Framework was the framework used in 2021.