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The University of Nottingham gets gold for its teaching excellence

According to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the University of Nottingham has gotten gold for its teaching excellence.

The gold award, which is the highest that an institution can get, demonstrates that the UoN provides its students with consistent teaching of the highest quality, world-class facilities, academic support and global opportunities.

Professor Sarah O’Hara, pro-vice-chancellor for education and student experience, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we have received a TEF Gold rating. It reflects the hard work and creativity of our teaching staff and support colleagues across our UK campuses.”

“Experts […] have urged potential students to be mindful of the results”

The TEF, which was introduced by the government, analyses only undergraduate teaching in higher education institutions in order to increase the importance of teaching excellence.

Jimi Harrold, a first-year physics student, told Impact: “This is a great achievement by the university, especially in regards to students who are looking at the UoN as a potential place to study.”

Only eight out of 21 institutions part of the Russell Group, which includes UoN, were awarded the gold rating. Experts in the sector, however, have urged potential students to be mindful of the results.

The acting director of the Russell Group, Dr Tim Bradshaw, said: “This is a trial year. We need to recognise that developing a robust Tef that is truly reflective of the UK’s excellent higher education sector will take time.”

“This is a real mark of confidence from HEFCE and the UK government in the quality of our teaching and the support our students receive”

In addition, the National Union of Students dismissed the TEF results as “another meaningless university ranking system which no one asked for.”

The ratings are based on drop-out rates, employment data, student satisfaction survey results and a written submission of evidence to help the government determine a rating.

Dr Paul Greatrix, Registrar at the UoN, said: “This is a real mark of confidence from HEFCE and the UK government in the quality of our teaching and the support our students receive. From high quality careers advice and guidance to the consistently outstanding outcomes achieved by our students we have been recognised for the quality of support we provide.”

Sarah Lindgärde 

Featured image courtesy of ‘Shamraze/Nuhaize’ via Flickr. License here

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