Providers who took part in TEF Years Two, Three and Four were awarded either a Gold, Silver, Bronze or provisional rating.
We expect to consult on the rating names and descriptors for the future scheme during 2021.
A provider was awarded Gold for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It represented the highest quality found in the UK.
A provider was awarded Silver for delivering high quality teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It consistently exceeded rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education.
A provider was awarded Bronze for delivering teaching, learning and outcomes for its students that met rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education.
Provisional awards are given to providers that meet rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education - and are taking part in the TEF - but have not had the opportunity to be fully assessed.
The current TEF awards have been extended to remain valid until the publication of the outcomes of the next TEF exercise.
Registered English providers that do not hold a TEF award will be able to apply for a provisional award in advance of the next exercise. These awards will also remain valid until the new set of TEF ratings is published.
