The Office for Students has confirmed changes to the Teaching Excellence Framework, placing renewed emphasis on teaching quality, student experience and student outcomes.
The Office for Students (OfS) has announced a revised approach to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), following consultation with the higher education sector. The new system is designed to give current and prospective students clearer information about the quality of teaching and learning delivered by registered universities and colleges.
Under the revised framework, institutions will be assessed on the extent to which they exceed the OfS’s minimum quality requirements. Ratings will be published for two areas: student experience and student outcomes, where sufficient data is available. Providers that meet the minimum requirements will receive a Bronze rating, while those demonstrating higher levels of quality may be awarded Silver or Gold.
What is changing?
The revised TEF is intended to recognise excellence above baseline requirements while also identifying where improvements are needed. The OfS has said it will introduce stronger incentives linked to ratings and may apply interventions where quality falls short, including student recruitment limits for providers rated Bronze or Requires improvement, subject to further consultation on the detail.
The framework will operate on a cyclical basis, with institutions receiving lower ratings assessed more frequently. The OfS will also be able to carry out additional assessments if new quality concerns arise through ongoing monitoring.
Why this matters for higher education providers
For universities, colleges and other higher education providers, the revised TEF increases the importance of being able to demonstrate robust governance, effective quality assurance, strong student support arrangements and clear evidence of positive outcomes. Providers will need to ensure that their internal monitoring, reporting and assurance processes are aligned with regulatory expectations and capable of supporting continuous improvement.
Boards, audit committees and senior leadership teams should consider whether they have sufficient assurance over the data, controls and processes that underpin student experience and student outcomes. This includes the quality of management information, the effectiveness of action plans, and the strength of oversight where risks or areas for improvement are identified.
How TIAA can support providers
TIAA works with education providers across the UK, supporting organisations to strengthen governance, risk management, internal control and assurance arrangements. Our education specialists understand the regulatory environment and the pressures facing universities, colleges and wider education providers. We can help organisations assess their readiness for the revised TEF, review assurance over student experience and outcomes, and identify practical opportunities to strengthen controls and evidence improvement.
If you would like to discuss how the revised TEF may affect your organisation’s assurance priorities, please contact TIAA to speak to one of our education sector specialists.