The outcome of TEF 2023 has been published today (Thursday 28 September), with Sheffield Hallam praised for its work on supporting students to succeed, both during and after their studies.
The TEF is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes for their students.
An expert panel assesses and rates universities and colleges based on student experience and student outcomes. More than 220 providers took part in TEF 2023. Gold is the highest award a provider can receive.
Outstanding outcomes across all stages of the student lifecycle
The TEF panel praised the success of the University’s ‘holistic approach’ to achieving ‘outstanding outcomes across all stages of the student lifecycle’.
Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, said: “I’m delighted that Sheffield Hallam has achieved Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Gold ratings are reserved for institutions which represent the very best in UK higher education. Our mission is to transform lives and it’s clear to me that our focus on delivering an excellent applied learning experience enables our students to thrive intellectually and personally.
“Our commitment to real-world experience, collaboration and embedding employability in all our courses means our students have the skills they need to take the next step once they graduate.
“This award is a testament to everyone at the University who has worked tirelessly to help us to achieve this mark of teaching quality and I’d like to thank all of them for their commitment and enthusiasm to helping our students to succeed.”
One of the areas praised was the University’s consistent approach to course design and learning experience. The ‘Hallam Model’ ensures all courses are designed with a focus on applied learning through research-informed teaching and work experience. This helps to connect students to the world outside university, challenge them to collaborate and support their personal development.
There is also clear focus on the broader skills need to enable students to thrive once they leave higher education.
Since 2018, Sheffield Hallam has worked in collaboration with employers, industry partners and students to embed employability in every course, at every level of study. The University also guarantees that every student has the opportunity to undertake work experience or a work-based placement during their course.
Focus on employability
This focus on employability and real world experience at all levels of study has led to excellent graduate outcomes. Over the last three years, Hallam has had one of the highest proportions of graduates in highly skilled employment of any modern university, according to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey. 1,930 graduates from 2020/21 reported being in highly skilled employment within 15 months of graduating, with 95% in employment or further study.
The University is committed to widening participation in higher education of students from disadvantaged and under-represented groups. For the last five years, Sheffield Hallam has educated more students from under-represented backgrounds than any other university in the country.
Specific support is available to for students from under-represented backgrounds to enable them to thrive during and after their studies at Sheffield Hallam.
This approach to employability and social mobility has received recognition through numerous awards in recent years. Sheffield Hallam was named University of the Year at both the Educate North Awards (2022) and the UK Social Mobility Awards (2021) as well as Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the Year (2021) at the Times Higher Education Awards
