Gold for Leeds in the Teaching Excellence Framework

Gold for Leeds in the Teaching Excellence Framework

The University of Leeds has achieved a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the highest award possible.

The independent TEF panel judged that the University delivers “consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students, of the highest quality found in the UK”.

The assessment cited that “students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes” and that independent learning is supported by “outstanding physical and digital resources”.

In its pilot year, the TEF has been developed by the Department for Education to assess teaching in higher education at undergraduate level.

It uses evidence from a set of measures that focus on student satisfaction, retention rates and graduate employment, as well as a written submission from the University to decide on the level of award.

Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said:

“Leeds achieves excellent student education and an outstanding all-round experience, which is reflected across a raft of measures, including a 90% satisfaction rate in the National Student Survey and a top five position in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2017.

“The Times and The Sunday Times also singled us out for prioritising students’ needs first to last when they named us this year’s University of the Year in the Good University Guide.

“We welcome the TEF’s focus on teaching excellence, graduate employability and widening access and are pleased to have received a Gold rating, although we will always strive to improve further.”

In its assessment of the University, the TEF panel highlighted the high levels of satisfaction, retention and progression to employment or further study.

It also noted the “creative approach to supporting students in their independent learning” and that students are “active contributors to their education”, through initiatives such as Leeds for Life.

The feedback cited that “students take charge of their experiences with academic and co-curricular opportunities that can enhance their learning while preparing them for the world beyond the University”.

The TEF panel also praised the Access to Leeds scheme, one of the largest initiatives in the sector, aimed at widening participation and encouraging applicants to apply to University regardless of their background.

The award additionally reflects the University’s strengths in its research-based learning, where Gold-rated universities ensure students are “consistently and frequently engaged with developments from the forefront of research, scholarship or practice”.

Leeds is ranked in the top 100 universities for academic reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2018, and also secured a top 10 position in the UK for its research power and impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.

This strength was also recognised by the University of the Year judges when they described the final year research-based project as the “centrepiece of students’ academic activities”.