Brunel University London has received a silver award in the UK government’s first measure of teaching and learning excellence in the national higher education sector.
The results of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) were announced on Thursday 22 June, with results valid for the next three years.
The TEF judging panel gave Brunel a silver award after analysing a range of metrics and further information submitted by the University, with particular praise for Brunel’s academic support for students and work in helping students build excellent career prospects.
Brunel prides itself on innovation in teaching and learning, recognised in January 2017 when Brunel was awarded one of six new Collaborative Awards for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from the Higher Education Academy.
The University has a long history of producing graduates who are ready for the world of work. With close ties to industry in a vast array of sectors, many students undertake a placement year or other work experience during their course of study.
Brunel runs a significant range of initiatives to support applicants, students, and graduates, during their entire lifecycle of study with the University.
This includes the Professional Development Centre, a dedicated team of careers consultants who work with students throughout their time at Brunel as well as up to two years after they graduate; a personal tutor for all students; a buddy scheme for first-year undergraduates; high-quality welfare and counselling services; and mentoring initiatives and schemes for students from widening participation backgrounds.
The Brunel Educational Excellence Centre (BEEC) was introduced in 2014 to enhance the teaching and learning experience of both staff and students at Brunel through the provision of an extensive range of extra-curricular learning opportunities, while the University’s Academic Skills Service (ASK) supports students through individual advice, events, workshop and input into the curriculum.
Brunel continues to pioneer innovative teaching and assessment methods to support students’ learning, from a recent trial of digital examinations – allowing students to use laptops to complete their exams – to encouraging staff to adopt technology that promotes a flexible and interactive approach to learning.
Professor Julia Buckingham, Vice-Chancellor, Brunel University London, says: “Brunel was founded with the distinct purpose of building a brand of education, and later research, which was geared toward both the needs of industry, and toward addressing society’s challenges on a global scale.
“More than 50 years later some of those challenges may have changed but our aims are as innovative and ambitious as they ever were. We continue to channel the spirit and vision of our namesake and to do so with flair and rigour, working with students to provide the academic education and the personal skills they need to become a success.”
The TEF was announced by the Department for Education in 2015 as a measure of both teaching quality and the outcomes it achieves. Award ratings will be published so that prospective students have a range of information to help them to make a choice about where they wish to study.
Brunel was recognised by the TEF panel for its:
- Strategic, targeted and consistent approach to increasing the excellent employability prospects of graduates
- High levels of employer engagement and opportunities for work experience
- Analytical approach to addressing attainment gaps in the University’s diverse student body
- Innovative assessment practices, helping students make the transition into study
- Assessment strategy which consistently stretches and challenges students
Reported by:
Sarah Cox,
Media Relations
sarah.cox@brunel.ac.uk