UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 22 JUNE 2017
Birmingham City University has been awarded silver status for its quality of teaching in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), published today (Thursday 22 June) by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
The TEF – the first scheme of its kind – recognises excellent teaching and learning across the UK’s world-class higher education sector.
Silver grades have been awarded by the Government to universities offering courses with “high levels of stretch that ensures all students are significantly challenged, and acquire knowledge, skills and understanding that are highly valued by employers.”
Birmingham City University was particularly praised for support for students, world-class facilities and the professionalism of its teaching staff.
Professor Graham Upton, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University, said:
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure we provide our students with a practice-led, knowledge-applied education that is interdisciplinary, employer-driven and has a global outlook.
“Working with the students themselves – together with our academic and professional services staff, academics from other UK universities and industry advisors – we aim to build upon this result, ensuring we continue to remain a destination of choice and be recognised as an excellent teaching provider within the sector.”
Universities were assessed for teaching quality based on student satisfaction, graduate employment and whether students completed the full term of their studies. The assessment panel considered teaching, the learning environment and the outcomes of students, along with the backgrounds of students and the subjects they study.
Birmingham City University is now celebrating double silver, as the TEF announcement comes in the same week the institution marks 25 years since it secured university status. On 16 June 1992, Birmingham Polytechnic became a university and was formally renamed the University of Central England.
To mark the silver anniversary, the University was presented with custom-made silver coin commemorating the occasion and designed by Katy Tromans, a graduate from Birmingham School of Jewellery, part of Birmingham City University.