Understanding TEF: What is it and why is it important?

21 Sep 2023

The TEF results are announced on Thursday 28 September. But what is TEF and why is it important? Our video, infographic and written explainer helps you to better understand it

Watch our TEF explainer video here or below
Take a look at our TEF explainer infographic.

What is TEF?

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national government exercise run by the Office for Students (OfS). All Higher Education providers in England with at least 500 undergraduate students must take part in the TEF, and other providers may opt in.

The aim is to: evaluate the quality of the undergraduate student experience; incentivise improvement and excellence in teaching, learning and student outcomes; and better inform students’ choices about what and where to study.

How are we assessed?

TEF evaluations are carried out by a panel, consisting of two-thirds academic members and one-third student members. The panel makes its decisions based on:

TEF indicator data for the past four academic years (2018/19 to 2021/22);
a 25-page TEF provider submission, which gives an overview of the university (vision, values, students, staff, subject areas, and educational gains)
an optional TEF student submission.

How are we rated?

The panel awards ratings for the provider as a whole (for example, The University of Manchester), and also for each of two aspects, covering Student Experience and Student Outcomes. Within student experience the indicator data is based on five areas of the NSS: teaching on my course; assessment and feedback; academic support; learning resources; and student voice.

For student outcomes the indicator data is based on continuation, completion, and progression (graduate outcomes survey). For each aspect, the indicators contribute no more than half of the evidence of excellence.

There are three possible rating categories that signify increasing degrees of excellence above the minimum quality requirements (B1-B5 conditions of registration):

Gold: the student experience and outcomes are typically outstanding
Silver: the student experience and outcomes are typically very high quality, and there may be some outstanding features
Bronze: the student experience and outcomes are typically high quality, and there are some very high-quality features
Requires Improvement: a provider or an aspect may also be assigned this if it requires improvement in order to be rated Bronze or above.

In the first TEF exercise in 2017 we were awarded Silver as an institution. Subject-level TEF submissions were piloted in 2017/18 and 2018/19 but it was agreed that this was too expensive, and the data was not statistically reliable at subject level. A revised framework was then released in October 2022 for the TEF 2023 exercise.

TEF 2023

The TEF 2023 exercise has given our planning and writing group the opportunity to showcase the amazing teaching and learning activities and innovations taking place across the University, and the brilliant outcomes our students achieve as they gain their qualifications and move on to excellent graduate jobs or further study. We have embraced the ethos of TEF to improve the student experience and provide excellence in teaching, learning and student outcomes, tailored to our students and courses, and with ample opportunities for educational gains.

Read some of our TEF case studies:

The results for this year’s TEF exercise will be announced on Thursday 28 September and we will receive an overall rating as well as a rating for each aspect of the TEF: Student Experience and Student Outcomes. Going forward, the TEF exercise is expected to be completed every four years.