OfS to consult on overhaul of teaching quality framework

The Office for Students (OfS) has launched a consultation on proposals to overhaul how teaching quality is assessed in English higher education.

Under the plans, the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) would be revised to integrate with existing OfS quality assessments, creating a single system to measure how far universities and colleges meet – or exceed – regulatory expectations.

The regulator said the revised framework would embed equality of opportunity and aim to ensure that students from all backgrounds benefit from “high quality education and positive outcomes”. 

Institutions would be given ratings, with stronger performance rewarded and weaker performers required to improve. Where quality fell below minimum standards, the OfS said it would intervene.

Risk monitoring between TEF cycles would also be strengthened, allowing the OfS to act more quickly where there are concerns about teaching or student outcomes. The frequency of an institution’s assessment would depend on its rating and risk profile, reducing the burden on high-performing providers while increasing scrutiny of those judged to need improvement.

The first assessment cycle would focus on undergraduate provision, with postgraduate taught programmes to be included from the second cycle. Assessments would draw on institutional submissions, National Student Survey responses and student input. 

The OfS is also considering changes to how student outcomes are rated, with a view to adopting a more streamlined approach using available data.

Jean Arnold, OfS deputy director of quality, said: “Students have told us that they want high quality teaching, strong academic support, access to the resources they need, and qualifications that are credible and career enhancing. They also expect their university or college to listen to them and respond to their needs.

“With our proposed new quality assessment system, we aim to make sure every institution registered with the OfS lives up to these expectations, is incentivised to push for the highest level of quality and can quickly take action to address issues. We also want students to have clearer information and confidence in the quality of education and outcomes they receive.”

The consultation will run until later this year and is open to universities, colleges, awarding bodies, students and sector representatives.