WIREDGOV

Following the deadline for applications to Year Two of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) on 26 January 2017, a total of 299 universities, colleges and alternative providers of higher education have chosen to participate.

Providers with suitable metrics [Note 2] were able to apply for a TEF assessment; providers without suitable metrics could opt-in for a provisional TEF award (see below).

TEF Chair Professor Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University, said:

’The TEF offers us a real opportunity to focus on the quality of teaching and student outcomes across higher education. I’m delighted that so many institutions have responded to the TEF. As chair of the panel, I’m now looking forward to engaging with the detailed applications from universities and colleges across the United Kingdom. The TEF panel draws on exceptional expertise, and we will be able to draw together a comprehensive sense of teaching excellence across the nation’s higher education provision.’

HEFCE Chief Executive, Madeleine Atkins, said:

‘We are pleased that there has been such a high level of engagement with TEF at this early stage of its development.  The high proportion of eligible providers submitting this week builds on the strong demand we received to serve as assessors during the summer.  We look forward now to supporting the TEF panel and the academic and student assessors to reach their judgements on the applications we have received.' 

The table below shows the number of providers participating in the TEF, broken down by type and nation [Note 3].

Next steps

Applications will be assessed by the TEF assessors and panellists [Note 4], comprising academics, students, widening participation experts and employers. The outcomes and accompanying information will be published at the end of May 2017. 

Notes

1. The Government introduced the TEF in 2016 to recognise and reward excellent teaching in UK higher education providers. HEFCE, working with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, is responsible for implementing the TEF Year Two according to the specification provided by the Department for Education.
2. The assessment is informed by metrics and a provider submission. Suitable metrics are taken from the National Student Survey and the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey.
3. Opt-ins for a Provisional award include a small number from Wales and Northern Ireland.
4. See the list of assessors and panellists.