About the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
History of the TEF
The previous TEF scheme
The previous TEF scheme ran for three rounds of assessment from 2017 to 2019. It was originally developed by the then Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and later the Department for Education (DfE), and operated in accordance with the DfE's TEF specification.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) was initially responsible for implementing it. In 2018, the OfS adopted the TEF under section 25 of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, which gives us the power to operate a scheme to give ratings to higher education providers.
Participation was voluntary and over 300 higher education providers took part over the three rounds of assessment.
See our archive of previous TEF ratings
Developing the TEF 2023 exercise
We developed proposals for a new approach to the TEF and undertook a public consultation in early 2022. The consultation on the new TEF was part of a wider set of consultations to develop our approach to regulating quality and standards.
We used a substantial body of evidence to inform the consultation proposals for the new TEF scheme. This includes considering the recommendations of the independent review of the TEF and having regard to the government's response to that review. It also includes the findings from our pilot exercises to run the TEF at subject-level, as well as our experience of operating the TEF to date.
Read the TEF consultation and our analysis of consultation responses and decisions.
Following the consultation we made decisions about the TEF 2023 exercise, and implemented it from autumn 2022.
Subject-level pilots
Between 2017-19, the TEF was piloted at subject level, to help inform the future development of the scheme.
Through the pilots we tested the value of, and approaches to, assessing provision at subject level. These pilots tested three models for deriving subject ratings and provider ratings.
These pilots were development exercises. The focus was on testing methods of assessment, not on the performance of providers that took part. For this reason the ratings produced were not published.
About the 2018-19 subject pilot
This pilot took place from autumn 2018 to summer 2019. It tested a single, revised model, and a number of other refinements from the 2017-18 pilot.
The revised model differed from the previous pilot as it was designed to ensure that all subject ratings were based on a full assessment of that subject. The 2018-19 pilot followed the TEF subject-level pilot guide.
Development of the 2018-19 pilot was informed by:
- the TEF subject pilot 2017-18 findings report
- student research
- the government's response to the subject-level TEF consultation
This pilot tested a single model. Potential refinements to metrics and processes were trialled that were not explored in the 2017-18 pilot.
45 colleges, universities and other types of higher education provider took part in the 2018-19 TEF subject-level pilot.
They were selected to reflect the diversity of higher education providers across the UK.
| Full list of participants | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Academy of Contemporary Music |
Gateshead College |
Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance |
|
Aston University |
Goldsmiths, University of London |
Solent University |
|
Bath College |
Hugh Baird College |
South Thames Colleges Group |
|
BIMM Limited |
Kaplan Open Learning (Essex) Limited |
University of Suffolk |
|
Birmingham City University |
King's College London |
Swansea University |
|
Bishop Burton College |
The University of Law Limited |
Teesside University |
|
Bishop Grosseteste University |
University of Leeds |
Trafford College Group |
|
University of Buckingham |
University of Lincoln |
University College London |
|
Burton and South Derbyshire College |
Liverpool John Moores University |
University of Wales Trinity Saint David |
|
Cardiff Metropolitan University |
Nelson College London Limited |
Warwickshire College |
|
University of Central Lancashire |
New College Durham |
University of West London |
|
Chichester College Group |
University of Nottingham |
University of Westminster |
|
City of Sunderland College |
Oldham College |
University of Wolverhampton |
|
University of East Anglia |
Pearson College Limited |
University of Worcester |
|
Falmouth University |
University of Reading |
University of York |
Decisions about TEF awards were made by over 130 panel members including students, academics, and representatives from employers and professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (PSRBs). They were selected for their expertise, standing in the higher education sector, and commitment to excellence in teaching.
A main panel assessed nationally collected data combined with a detailed statement from each university or college to arrive at the final provider rating. Subject panels assessed nationally collected data combined with detailed statements on subjects within universities and colleges to arrive at subject ratings.
The findings from the second subject-level pilot were published in January 2021.
The resources below provide technical information about the 2018-19 subject-level pilot. They were intended to support providers’ understanding of how we used individualised student data to produce the 2018-19 pilot metrics and contextual data. The technical specification of the metrics applied only to the 2018-19 subject pilot.
- 2018-19 subject level pilot metrics - technical document
- 2018-19 subject level pilot metrics - sector averages for benchmarking calculations
- OfS proposals for CAH2 subjects, as used in the TEF 2018-19 subject level pilot
- 2018-19 subject level pilot metrics - contextual data on UK highly skilled employment
- 2018-19 subject level pilot metrics - metrics exemplars
About the 2017-18 subject pilot
This pilot took place from autumn 2017 to summer 2018. It tested how two models produce TEF subject ratings. The pilot followed the DfE's TEF subject-level pilot specification (July 2017).
Two models were tested in the 2017-18 pilot.
Model A – ‘By exception’ model
TEF metrics determined whether a subject performed differently to the college or university as a whole, or not. Where a subject differed, it was assessed fully and could receive a different TEF rating to the college or university.
All other subjects were not assessed individually, and received the same TEF rating as the college or university.
Model B – ‘Bottom up’ model
All subjects were assessed in groups, and received a TEF rating of bronze, silver or gold. The subject ratings then fed into the assessment of the college or university as a whole.
What was common to both models?
- Assessment was based on the same criteria and evidence used in the original provider-level TEF.
- TEF ratings were produced for each subject, and for the college or university as a whole.
- New data based on contact hours and staff to student ratios was also piloted.
Fifty colleges, universities and other types of higher education provider took part in the 2017-18 subject pilot.
Providers were selected to reflect the diversity of higher education providers across the UK.
Full list of participants
| Model A participants | Model B participants | Participants in models A and B |
|---|---|---|
|
Bath Spa University Chichester College Futureworks Glyndŵr University Hertford Regional College Imperial College London Kingston College Liverpool John Moores University London Metropolitan University London School of Management Education Limited Open University Ravensbourne University of Bedfordshire University of Cambridge University of Essex University of Hull University of Nottingham University of St Andrews Warwickshire College Group |
Abingdon and Witney College Arts University Bournemouth Furness College Glasgow School of Art Kaplan Open Learning (Essex) Limited Leeds Beckett University Leeds Trinity University London School of Economics and Political Science London South Bank University New College Durham School of Oriental and African Studies South and City College Birmingham Swansea University Tyne Coast College University of Exeter University of Hertfordshire University of Leicester University of Portsmouth University of Westminster |
Bishop Grosseteste University Bromley College of Further and Higher Education De Montfort University Nelson College London Limited Pearson College Limited St George’s, University of London University of Birmingham University of Bradford University of East Anglia The University of Law University of Northumbria at Newcastle University of Wolverhampton |
Over 130 panel members carried out the pilot assessment process. They were selected for their standing in the higher education sector, expertise, and commitment to excellence in teaching.
The main panel decided ratings at provider level. The seven subject panels decided ratings at subject level. Each panel consisted of student representatives, academics, and representatives from employers and professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
We published findings from the first subject pilot in October 2018.
Development of the 2018-19 pilot was informed by these findings, as well as by student research and the government response to the subject-level TEF consultation.
The following resources provide further technical information on the 2017-18 subject pilot. They were produced to support those who participated in the pilot.
Specifications
- Access the Department for Education's subject-level pilot specification
- Access the Department for Education's Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) specification
Subject-level TEF consultation resources
The Department for Education carried out a technical consultation to inform the development of TEF at subject level. To help providers respond effectively to the consultation, we produced the following resources:
- subject-level metrics for individual providers (providers were able to access their own data from the TEF extranet)
- technical information relating to subject-level metrics
- guidance on measuring teaching intensity.
Download technical information about subject-level metrics
The technical specification of the metrics applied only to the 2017-18 subject pilot. The metrics were not intended for operational purposes beyond participation in the pilots.
Download guidance on the measures of teaching intensity piloted
The guidance on teaching intensity was developed only to support providers who took part in the subject pilots, and reflects only those measures piloted. The guidance does not represent any final processes or policy decisions on the TEF.
Subject pilot briefing and slide pack
We delivered a number of subject pilot briefings during September 2017. The briefing slides and further information can be accessed below.
Earlier work
HEFCE initiated a programme of research exploring the measurement of learning gain, which focused on the knowledge, skills, work-readiness and personal development gained by students during their time in higher education.
HEFCE also supported a programme to develop and evaluate experimental innovations in learning and teaching.
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