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University of Gloucestershire receives Silver award for teaching excellence

The University of Gloucestershire has been awarded a Silver rating in recognition of its “high quality teaching” in the Government’s latest university rankings system, published today (22 June).

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) measures excellence in three areas: teaching quality, the learning environment, and the educational and professional outcomes achieved by students. Higher education institutions voluntarily took part in the TEF, with each participating provider rated Gold, Silver or Bronze.

The Silver award recognises “high quality teaching, learning and outcomes for its students, and consistently exceeding rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education”.

In its statement of findings, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) commented that the evidence indicates that: “students from all backgrounds achieve excellent outcomes. High proportions of students continue with their studies and progress to employment or further study”.

The report goes on to say that the University of Gloucestershire’s rating reflected, in particular, evidence of:

• an integrated approach to careers, volunteering and placements that enhances student employability.

• the provision of shared facilities for business services and economic development which provides opportunities for students to engage directly with businesses.

• a personalised approach to learning with each student encouraged to develop a bespoke learning plan supported by personal tutors.

• effective monitoring of student engagement with personal tutoring and a University-wide approach to induction to support high retention rates

• the creation of high quality specialist teaching facilities and digital resources, and support for students in developing study and research skills.
• implementation of an institutional culture that facilitates, recognises and rewards excellent teaching, and encourages staff to attain professional recognition and teaching qualifications.

Stephen Marston, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “The University is pleased to have achieved this Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.  It recognizes the progress we have made towards our goals of providing excellent teaching and learning for our students.

“Our central ambition as a University is to provide outstanding support for our students to achieve their full potential, and to equip them with a great foundation for their future careers, within a community which values them as individuals. 

“This Silver rating shows we can be confident that we are moving in the right direction.  We intend to build on this strong foundation as we continue to work towards outstanding support for all our students.” 

Back in March, the University rose eight places to 54th out of 122 UK universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey.  The University was ranked 27th for teaching quality and 40th for overall student experience in the current Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.  And in this year’s Guardian League Table, the University rose 8 places to 64th out of 121.