Teaching Excellence Framework

What is the Teaching Excellence Framework?

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a rating introduced by the UK government in 2017 which focuses on institutes of higher education and the improvement of quality teaching at undergraduate level. Universities and colleges can achieve a gold, silver, bronze or provisional rating and the purpose of the new assessment is to help international students choose where to study in the UK.

What are the TEF ratings?

Gold: The institute delivers outstanding teaching and is of the highest quality.
Silver: The institute delivers high quality teaching and exceeds the national quality control for learning.
Bronze: The institute delivers teaching which meets the national quality control for learning.
Provisional: The institute is taking part in the TEF but results have not yet been assessed.

What are UK universities rated on?

An independent panel of experts assess each university or college based on written data and submitted evidence. Measured metrics include:

Student satisfaction
Continuation rates
Employment rates
Academic support

As with all university ranking and league tables, students should use the TEF as a guide, not a rule. The TEF focuses on an institute as a whole, and is not subject or course specific. The TEF does however offer a quick insight into universities which are currently excelling in the areas highlighted above.