University of Hull set to celebrate as Gold award announced for excellence

Outstanding teaching, learning and student outcomes at the University of Hull have been recognised with a Gold rating* in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) – announced today.

The Gold rating – the highest award possible for student experience and student outcomes and a clear signal of excellence – will be celebrated on campus and beyond with students, staff and the local community sharing in the University’s success at a national level.

Campus — The announcement confirms the excellence of the teaching and exceptional student experience here at Hull.

The accolade, which means the undergraduate student experience and student outcomes are typically outstanding, follows the University being ranked 44^th in the UK in THE World University Rankings 2024 and impressive results in the Research Excellence Framework.** It confirms the excellence of the teaching and exceptional student experience here at Hull.

Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull, said: “Excellent, research-led teaching, outstanding student experience, and dynamic partnerships are the signature of progressive universities that are delivering the best possible outcomes for their students. I am delighted that we have been recognised as ranking with the best.

TEF Gold is a remarkable achievement. It reflects the University of Hull’s innovative, distinctive approach and our exceptional learning resources on campus. It is also testament to our determination for our teaching to be the best it can possibly be and our commitment to making sure our students are engaged with developments at the cutting edge of research, practice and scholarship.

“We have listened to our students, transformed our approach to teaching, enhanced our academic and pastoral support, and empowered them to achieve their own personal and professional success – and this has all been recognised by the TEF panel.

“Since joining the University of Hull a year ago, I have often remarked that the University is rather a hidden gem, a well-kept secret. I am certain that our gold award from TEF confirms we are on a new, positive, trajectory and that this vibrant and undeniably exciting phase will attract the attention of applicants, researchers, and the HE sector as a whole.

It is thanks to the incredible dedication of our staff and the application of our students that we can celebrate this outstanding result.

The Teaching Excellence Framework is an independent assessment that rates teaching at undergraduate level with bronze, silver or gold by focusing on student satisfaction, retention rates and graduate employment. It is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to incentivise excellence in teaching, learning and student outcomes. Student outcomes relates to the extent to which the University’s students succeed in and beyond their studies, and the educational gains delivered for students.

Professor David Petley, University of Hull Vice-Chancellor — Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull

The announcement builds on a series of exciting developments at the University: from the appointment of the Right Honourable Alan Johnson as Chancellor to the recent launch of the Data Science, AI and Modelling Centre (DAIM) – underlining our progressive approach to education and research – as part of our investment in outstanding facilities on campus. From the introduction a ‘digital spine’ project which will transform our digital capabilities to help students and staff share information in the most effective way possible to the extension of our special partnership with Team GB – these are all about offering an exceptional experience to our students.

*This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years

**Read about our REF results here.

More about the TEF

TEF definitions

Gold Overall: Described as: “The student experience and student outcomes are typically outstanding.”

 The Teaching Excellence Framework (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 the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.

The TEF does this by assessing and rating universities and colleges for excellence above a set of minimum requirements for quality and standards.

The ratings reflect the extent to which a provider delivers an excellent experience and outcomes for its mix of undergraduate students and across the range of its undergraduate courses and subjects.