TEF Results 2023: A Guide To The Teaching Excellence Framework
In the ever-evolving landscape of UK higher education, the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) stands as a guiding beacon for both students and institutions alike. As we delve into the TEF Results of 2023, this article offers an illuminating guide that unveils the essence of this influential evaluation. Join us on a journey to explore the core principles of academic excellence and innovation within the UK’s educational institutions, and understand the impact of the TEF on the quest for quality in higher education.
Table of Contents
What is the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)?
The Teaching Excellence Framework, often abbreviated as TEF, is a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation system that has been a central focus of the UK’s higher education sector. Launched in 2016, TEF was created with the goal of assessing and recognising the quality of teaching and learning in universities and colleges across the UK.
At its core, TEF seeks to provide prospective students with valuable information when making decisions about where to pursue their higher education. It offers a means to distinguish institutions that excel in delivering high-quality teaching, student support, and overall educational experiences.
How does the TEF Ranking Work?
One of the distinctive aspects of the TEF is its approach to assessment. Rather than relying solely on traditional academic measures like research output or reputation, TEF utilises a range of metrics and qualitative judgments to provide a holistic view of an institution’s teaching quality. These assessments consider factors such as student satisfaction, graduate employment outcomes, and the learning environment. This multi-dimensional approach ensures a more comprehensive evaluation of an institution’s teaching prowess.
TEF assessments are conducted by an independent panel of experts and stakeholders in the higher education sector. The outcomes are categorised into three levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze, with Gold representing the highest level of teaching excellence. This classification system offers students a clear indication of the quality of education they can expect at different institutions.
The Teaching Excellence Framework is an integral part of the UK’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing the standards of higher education. It has not only empowered students to make informed choices but has also encouraged institutions to continually strive for excellence in their teaching and learning practices.
How does the TEF Help Students?
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in the UK is designed to help students in several ways:
Quality Assurance: TEF aims to assess and ensure the quality of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. Students can use TEF ratings to make more informed decisions when choosing where to study, knowing that institutions with higher TEF ratings are recognised for their commitment to teaching excellence.
Transparency: TEF provides a transparent and easily understandable rating system (Gold, Silver, Bronze) that allows students to quickly assess an institution’s teaching quality. This transparency makes it easier for students to compare different institutions and programmes.
Incentivising Improvement: The TEF process encourages institutions to continually enhance their teaching quality. To achieve or maintain a high TEF rating, institutions must invest in improving their teaching and student support, ultimately benefiting the student experience.
Accountability: TEF holds institutions accountable for the quality of education they provide. This means that institutions are motivated to respond to student feedback and continuously work to improve their teaching methods, support services, and overall educational experience.
Wider Access to Information: TEF results and feedback can help students, especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, make more informed decisions about where to study.
TEF Calculation in 2023
While 500 universities across the UK were invited to participate in the 2023 TEF Rankings, only 128 universities agreed to participate. Then, an independent group of academics, students, and employers were tasked to rate these universities using different criteria. The ultimate objective was to rank the students’ experience and the students’ outcomes.
Gold (Highest Excellence): A Gold rating signifies that an institution has demonstrated outstanding teaching quality, exceptional student support, and an excellent learning environment. It reflects the highest level of teaching excellence in the TEF assessment.
Silver (High Quality): A Silver rating indicates that an institution delivers high-quality teaching, strong student support, and a positive learning environment. While not at the pinnacle of excellence, it still represents a significant level of quality in education.
Bronze (Meeting Expectations): A Bronze rating suggests that an institution meets the minimum expectations for teaching quality and student support. It signifies that the institution provides an acceptable level of education but may have room for improvement to reach higher standards.
Besides these 3 ratings, an additional category: ‘Requires Improvement’, was created to categorised the universities that need to improve in order to receive a TEF rating.
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold Universities
Here are the list of universities that have been awarded the highest level of teaching excellence.
| Anglia Ruskin University | Gold |
| Aston University | Gold |
| City, University of London | Gold |
| Coventry University | Gold |
| Guildhall School of Music and Drama | Gold |
| Harper Adams University | Gold |
| Hartpury University | Gold |
| Imperial College London | Gold |
| Keele University | Gold |
| King’s College London | Gold |
| Kingston University | Gold |
| Lancaster University | Gold |
| Liverpool John Moores University | Gold |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | Gold |
| Loughborough University | Gold |
| Norwich University of the Arts | Gold |
| Plymouth Marjon University | Gold |
| Royal Academy of Music | Gold |
| Royal College of Music | Gold |
| Royal Northern College of Music | Gold |
| Royal Veterinary College | Gold |
| Sheffield Hallam University | Gold |
| Solent University, Southampton | Gold |
| Teesside University | Gold |
| The Open University | Gold |
| UCL | Gold |
| University of Bath | Gold |
| University of Birmingham | Gold |
| University of Bristol | Gold |
| University of Cambridge | Gold |
| University of Exeter | Gold |
| University of Huddersfield | Gold |
| University of Liverpool | Gold |
| University of Manchester | Gold |
| University of Nottingham | Gold |
| University of Oxford | Gold |
| University of Plymouth | Gold |
| University of Warwick | Gold |
| University of York | Gold |
TEF Ranking 2023
| University | Overall TEF Result |
|---|---|
| Anglia Ruskin University | Gold |
| Arden University | Pending |
| Arts University Bournemouth | Silver |
| Arts University Plymouth | Silver |
| Aston University | Gold |
| Bath Spa University | Silver |
| Birkbeck, University of London | Bronze |
| Birmingham City University | Silver |
| Newman University | Silver |
| Bishop Grosseteste University | Silver |
| Bournemouth University | Silver |
| BPP University | Bronze |
| Brunel University London | Pending |
| Buckinghamshire New University | Pending |
| Canterbury Christ Church University | Silver |
| City, University of London | Gold |
| Coventry University | Gold |
| De Montfort University | Silver |
| Durham University | Silver |
| Edge Hill University | Pending |
| Falmouth University | Silver |
| Goldsmiths, University of London | Pending |
| Guildhall School of Music and Drama | Gold |
| Harper Adams University | Gold |
| Hartpury University | Gold |
| Imperial College London | Gold |
| Keele University | Gold |
| King’s College London | Gold |
| Kingston University | Gold |
| Lancaster University | Gold |
| Leeds Arts University | Silver |
| Leeds Beckett University | Bronze |
| Leeds Conservatoire | Silver |
| Leeds Trinity University | Silver |
| Liverpool Hope University | Silver |
| Liverpool John Moores University | Gold |
| London Metropolitan University | Silver |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | Gold |
| London South Bank University | Pending |
| Loughborough University | Gold |
| Manchester Metropolitan University | Pending |
| Middlesex University | Pending |
| Newcastle University | Silver |
| Northeastern University London | Bronze |
| Northumbria University | Pending |
| Norwich University of the Arts | Gold |
| Nottingham Trent University | Pending |
| Oxford Brookes University | Silver |
| Plymouth Marjon University | Gold |
| Queen Mary University of London | Silver |
| Ravensbourne | Silver |
| Regent’s University London | Silver |
| Richmond, the American International University in London | Pending |
| University of Roehampton | Silver |
| Rose Bruford College | Silver |
| Royal Academy of Music | Gold |
| Royal Agricultural University | Silver |
| Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London | Pending |
| Royal College of Music | Gold |
| Royal Holloway, University of London | Silver |
| Royal Northern College of Music | Gold |
| Royal Veterinary College | Gold |
| Sheffield Hallam University | Gold |
| SOAS University of London | Silver |
| Solent University, Southampton | Gold |
| St George’s, University of London | Silver |
| St Mary’s University, Twickenham | Silver |
| Staffordshire University | Pending |
| Teesside University | Gold |
| The Open University | Gold |
| Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance | Pending |
| UCL | Gold |
| University College Birmingham | Silver |
| University for the Creative Arts | Pending |
| University of Bath | Gold |
| University of Bedfordshire | Pending |
| University of Birmingham | Gold |
| University of Bolton | Bronze |
| University of Bradford | Silver |
| University of Brighton | Silver |
| University of Bristol | Gold |
| University of Buckingham | Silver |
| University of Cambridge | Gold |
| University of Central Lancashire | Silver |
| University of Chester | Silver |
| University of Chichester | Silver |
| University of Cumbria | Silver |
| University of Derby | Silver |
| University of East Anglia | Silver |
| University of East London | Silver |
| University of Essex | Silver |
| University of Exeter | Gold |
| University of Gloucestershire | Silver |
| University of Greenwich | Pending |
| University of Hertfordshire | Pending |
| University of Huddersfield | Gold |
| University of Hull | Silver |
| University of Kent | Silver |
| University of Law | Silver |
| University of Leeds | Silver |
| University of Leicester | Pending |
| University of Lincoln | Pending |
| University of Liverpool | Gold |
| University of Manchester | Gold |
| University of Northampton | Silver |
| University of Nottingham | Gold |
| University of Oxford | Gold |
| University of Plymouth | Gold |
| University of Portsmouth | Silver |
| University of Reading | Silver |
| University of Salford | Silver |
| University of Sheffield | Pending |
| University of Southampton | Silver |
| University of Suffolk | Silver |
| University of Sunderland | Silver |
| University of Surrey | Pending |
| University of Sussex | Pending |
| University of the Arts London | Pending |
| University of the West of England | Silver |
| University of Warwick | Gold |
| University of West London | Bronze |
| University of Westminster | Silver |
| University of Winchester | Silver |
| University of Wolverhampton | Pending |
| University of Worcester | Silver |
| University of York | Gold |
| Writtle University College | Silver |
| York St John University | Silver |
Downsides of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in the UK, while aiming to improve and assess the quality of higher education, has faced several criticisms and perceived weaknesses:
Overemphasis on Metrics: Critics argue that TEF relies heavily on quantitative metrics, such as graduate employment rates and National Student Survey (NSS) scores, which may not provide a full and nuanced picture of teaching quality. This overemphasis on metrics can potentially incentivise institutions to focus on these specific indicators to the detriment of other important aspects of education.
Risk of Grade Inflation: There is concern that TEF’s tiered rating system (Gold, Silver, Bronze) could lead to grade inflation, as institutions may be inclined to meet the criteria for a higher rating rather than genuinely improving teaching quality.
One-Size-Fits-All Approach: TEF’s standardised assessment may not fully account for the diversity of institutions and their unique missions. Critics argue that it doesn’t consider the different challenges and strengths that institutions across the UK face. This can lead to unfair comparisons and rankings that don’t accurately reflect an institution’s context.
Additional Burden: Some institutions find the TEF process administratively burdensome, requiring significant time and resources for data collection and preparation. This can detract from their ability to focus on teaching and student support.
Limited Student Input: While student feedback is crucial, some argue that the reliance on the NSS may not adequately capture the complex dynamics of teaching quality. Additionally, there have been concerns about the potential for strategic survey gaming, where institutions encourage students to provide positive feedback to improve their ratings.
It’s important to note that TEF has evolved and may address some of these concerns through ongoing refinements and revisions. However, these criticisms reflect some of the key challenges associated with the framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
TEF is a UK government-led framework that assesses and rates the quality of teaching and learning in higher education institutions to help students make informed decisions about where to study.
TEF ratings are determined based on a combination of quantitative metrics, such as graduate employment rates and the National Student Survey (NSS), along with a qualitative submission provided by the institution. An independent panel of experts reviews this evidence to assign ratings (Gold, Silver, Bronze).
Gold represents the highest level of teaching excellence, Silver indicates high quality, and Bronze signifies that the institution meets minimum expectations for teaching quality and student support.
TEF is voluntary for institutions in England, but many choose to participate. It’s not directly applicable to institutions in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, although they may have their own quality assurance systems.
Apply To A UK University Today!
Speak to us today for free application assistance and education advice. Our expert consultants are more than happy to help!
Subscribe For Our FREE Insider UK Study Advice
Apply To Your Favourite UK University Today!
Speak to us today for free application assistance and education advice. Our expert consultants are more than happy to help!