University Centre Wigan & Leigh College has been awarded a silver award for the Teaching Excellence Framework. The University Centre is only one of two colleges in Greater Manchester to receive a TEF Silver or Gold award.

The results of the Teaching Excellence Framework provide a new picture of excellence in teaching and learning in UK higher education.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) was introduced by the Government to build evidence about the performance of the UK’s world-class higher education sector, complementing the existing Research Excellence Framework with an analysis of teaching and learning outcomes.

Universities, colleges and alternative providers of higher education, voluntarily took part in the TEF. Each provider was rated Gold, Silver or Bronze, or received a Provisional award where there was not enough data for a full assessment.

The TEF awards were decided by an independent panel of experts including academics, students and employer representatives.

The TEF measures excellence in three areas: teaching quality, the learning environment and the educational and professional outcomes achieved by students.

Anna Dawe, Principal, said “We are delighted with the outcome of the Teaching Excellence Framework and must also congratulate our University partner, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) who have also been awarded the Silver award”.

The findings cited that University Centre Wigan & Leigh College students achieve excellent outcomesand states that most students continue their studies and progress to highly skilled employment or further study.

The result also acknowledges high levels of student satisfaction with teaching, assessment and feedback and academic support for full-time students.

Madeleine Atkins, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, said: “Students invest significant amounts of time and money in their higher education. They rightly expect a high-quality learning experience and outcomes that reflect their potential. The UK already has a high bar for quality and standards, which all universities and colleges must meet. But the TEF judges excellence above and beyond this, clearly showing the highest levels across the sector.”