Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) update for colleagues

You may have seen that the Office for Students (OfS) has now published the outcomes of the first phase of its consultation on the future of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Further consultation on specific elements of the TEF is expected later this year, and for now the most relevant changes for us at Manchester include: 

• TEF assessments will be carried out on a cyclical, rolling basis from 2027/28, rather than through occasional large national exercises.   

• The next TEF will assess undergraduate courses and apprenticeships,with postgraduate taught provision added in later TEF exercises. 

• Universities will not receive an overall TEF rating, and instead they will receive two judgements – one for student experience and another for student outcomes. 

• There will be a move towards a more integrated quality system combining TEF and minimum regulatory requirements into a single framework, with revised student outcomes measures.   

Across our schools, faculties, and professional services colleagues are continuing to enhance teaching, support student success, and improve the wider student experience in line with our Manchester 2035 ambitions. Much of what TEF will look to recognise is already demonstrated through the excellent work taking place across our community, building on the strong foundations we already have in place. 

What do I need to do now? 

At the moment we do not know when Manchester will participate in the next TEF exercise, but it could be as soon as 2027/28. Preparations are already underway and being coordinated by our University-wide TEF Working Group. At this stage, there is no immediate action required from most colleagues beyond your continued work in supporting our students and delivering excellent teaching and learning across the University.  

Over the coming weeks, we will share more detail on what TEF means for Manchester, our plans, and how colleagues can get involved. This will include a dedicated StaffNet page with further context, FAQs, and updates as work continues.