University achieves Silver status in Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

22 Jun 2017

Result acknowledges our tremendous progress in recent years to bring about significant improvements in the student experience

The University has today (Thursday, 22 June) been awarded Silver status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

This result acknowledges the tremendous progress our University has made in recent years to bring about significant improvements in the student experience particularly across teaching quality, assessment and feedback. 

The University delivers teaching and learning which is informed by research that has global impact and is given added purpose through our commitment to social responsibility which is unparalleled in UK higher education. 

Manchester graduates are highly sought-after by the UK’s top graduate employers and are known for their work-ready skills and experience, as well as the quality of their academic ability.

We are convinced our key projects and strategies will continue to enhance our performance, in particular across student learning support with schemes like My Learning Essentials;  peer support including PASS;  teaching quality and innovation through our pedagogic centre CHERIL with the UCIL; and student engagement via Stellify

We are proud to work in collaborative partnership with our students and Students’ Union and will continue this approach to further improve teaching, learning and the student experience.

The government introduced TEF in an effort to recognise the quality of teaching and learning at higher education institutions and to better inform student choice.  A range of metrics relating to student satisfaction, retention rates and the proportion of students in employment or further study have been used to carry out assessments. 

The 2017 TEF is a pilot and the results should be treated with caution.  Robust and credible measures of teaching quality will take time to develop and it is widely acknowledged within the higher education sector that the metrics used in this TEF will be refined to more accurately reflect the quality of teaching, learning and the student experience.  Our University will continue to engage with government, the Russell Group, Universities UK and our students throughout this process.

I am pleased that TEF has recognised that most of our students achieve excellent outcomes regarding continuation and progression to employment, highly skilled employment or further study.  Furthermore there is evidence of course design that provides excellent stretch in a research environment, enabling students to progress and develop transferable and professional skills; an institutional culture that facilitates, recognises and rewards excellent teaching; major investment in physical learning and teaching spaces and a highly effective partnership between the University and the Students’ Union that supports learning.

Professor Clive Agnew, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and the Student Experience