The university demonstrates impressive progress through robust student experience and outcome strategy.
Date: 28 September 2023
London Met has received a silver award in the UK Government’s measure of teaching and student experience excellence in the higher education sector. Notably, a gold award was given for the student experience category.
The results of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) were announced on 28 September, with results valid for the next four years.
The judging panel responsible for awarding TEF classifications analysed a number of metrics and evidence-based supporting information. This included a submission from students, which also demonstrated an outstanding student experience for a wide range of student groups.
Further to the initial scores, the TEF panel marked nothing below the level of ‘very high quality’, specifically:
- Staff professional development and academic practice – high quality
- Research, employer engagement and scholarship – outstanding
- Teaching, assessment and feedback – outstanding
- Learning environment and support – outstanding
- Course content, student engagement and stretch – outstanding
- Learning resources – very high quality
- Student engagement in improvement – outstanding
The university was applauded for providing examples of its tailored approaches to differing student needs. The outstanding quality of support for under-represented groups was also highlighted in the feedback, as well as compelling evidence to suggest various strategies are having a positive impact.
London Met is proud of its commitment to student partnership work and social justice, particularly through dedicated Centre for Equity & Inclusion initiatives and The Education for Social Justice Framework.
Prioritising student experience
Following a change in leadership in 2018, a renewed focus on culture has taken place throughout the university. The corporate strategy has been built with student experience in mind, so a gold award in this category speaks to the heavy investment working with under-represented communities, including a commitment to race equity, outlined in an ongoing strategic plan. It also indicates the Student Success strand of the Strategic Plan is having a positive impact.
Lynn Dobbs, Vice-Chancellor at London Met, commented: “The feedback we receive from TEF assessments and all surveys looking at our education practices informs the direction of London Met’s student experience and outcome strategy. To be recognised as a university of silver award standard is a testament to the hard work and dedication that has gone into making this a reality.”
London Met was recognised by the TEF panel for the many examples submitted of excellence in a wide range of institutional contexts for its highly diverse mix of students, as well as for its clarity in identifying areas where improvements could be made.
The Education for Social Justice Framework development implemented by the university has been a key driver, alongside accountability from the Board of Governors, throughout the university. The framework has been developed in line with the belief that the curricula and practice at London Met should align with principles of equity, with students, and the challenges facing London and its communities.
Julie Hall, Deputy Vice Chancellor, said: “The social justice mission at London Met is shared by all –students, staff and academics alike. This collective belief in the power and opportunity education brings underpins much of the strategy, which has been formed to ensure learning and teaching outcomes are of the highest standard.”
Tammika Chambers, Student Union VP of Education, commented: “This success has come from the top down. Everyone involved in evidencing the work for the TEF submission got stuck in and were very happy to get behind the work needed to actualise our vision. We’re making great progress, and we see where we need to focus our attention moving forward.”
London Met received an overall award of silver, student experience was awarded gold. With the new corporate strategy launched in 2019, and a number of key underpinning strategies now being implemented, the university expects further improvements, particularly in the area of improving student outcomes, to filter through in all areas over the coming years.
For more information on TEF rankings, please visit the OfS website.
London Met receives Teaching Excellence Framework silver award accreditation.