Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (12 March) commented on the launch of the subject-level Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) consultation.

Dr Greg Walker, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“We welcome this important consultation on a new phase of TEF from 2020. The TEF so far has been more a way of benchmarking institutions according to student satisfaction levels, earnings and employment outcomes than an assessment tool for teaching quality itself. There is a wealth of information already available on the Unistats website for prospective students – the UK is way ahead of most other developed nations in the information we currently provide. Transparency and contextualised information is vital, but valid concerns remain about how oversimplified three-tier rankings can reinforce the stratification of HE providers according to hierarchies of prestige and perception. This is especially the case as we remain without a statistically reliable system of presenting long-term earnings and employment outcomes for students by course.

“We would hope that the TEF from 2020 will avoid these pitfalls - to that end MillionPlus will contribute constructively the view of modern universities into this important consultation. Finally, let’s never forget that students apply to university for a variety of valid reasons: career aspiration and advancement, an education in a subject that captivates them, and participation in a community of learning that will enrich their life and widen their horizons. Each of these motivations should be valued by society and the government.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts 2017
3. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk