Welsh universities get funding reward for good research

Cardiff University will get slightly less than last year but still more than half of the research funding

Universities in Wales which produce world class research are to be financially rewarded for their good work.

For the first time, each university will get a share of £71m based on how their research has rated.

More than half the money will go to Cardiff University, which ranks fifth in the UK for its research quality.

The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales said 70% will go to science research, a government priority.

Nearly a third of the research by Welsh universities is of "world-leading" quality, says the Research Excellence Framework, which has been called "a cross between the Olympics, the X Factor and a visit from Father Christmas" for academics.

Hefcw will also allocate £33m to part-time courses and £15m to help students on "premium" cost courses including medicine, dentistry and performing arts.

Universities and the percentage of their work which is 4* world leading research

Dr David Blaney, chief executive of Hefcw, said it had managed to maintain the level of research funding for a fourth year in a row and the work from Welsh universities was making a "real difference to the lives of citizens in Wales and across the world".

"We are pleased that we can continue to provide universities with this critical research funding, which paves the way for employment, investment, innovation and capital developments."