Royal Holloway, University of London has been awarded ‘Silver’ in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment, a new UK university rating that recognises and rewards excellent learning and teaching.

Royal Holloway achieves Silver rating in Teaching Excellence Framework

Introduced to help inform students’ choices about what and where to study, TEF rates well-performing institutions from Gold to Bronze. Silver is awarded to those universities that provide experiences and facilities that ensure all students are significantly challenged and supported in their studies.

Overseen by The Department for Education the Silver rating reassures students that Royal Holloway delivers quality teaching, supportive facilities for learning, and wider development opportunities within an engaging teaching environment. In particular, TEF’s judgment reflected, in particular, evidence at Royal Holloway of:

• High quality Pre-arrival support for transition from secondary to higher education
• Course design, that provides high levels of stretch to enable students to be significantly challenged and to progress and develop transferable and professional skills, through micro-placement schemes
• Students who are engaged with developments from the forefront of research, scholarship and practice
• Investment in e-learning facilities and information resources that create a high quality learning environment
• A culture that recognises, rewards and develops good teaching and learning, and emphasis on scholarship and innovation in teaching and learning

“This rating is testament to the quality of the experience we provide at Royal Holloway, from excellent teaching delivered by academic experts, first-class facilities and award-winning development opportunities such as micro-placements and volunteering initiatives. Our focus on support and development has helped us achieve a strong TEF rating, and seen Royal Holloway rise across the national league tables this year,” said Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway.

TEF assesses university performance in areas including teaching, assessment and feedback, and employability across the preceding three years, incorporating feedback from The National Student Survey (NSS), the only independent survey of final-year students.

Royal Holloway consistently rates highly for student satisfaction in the NSS. In 2016 it achieved an overall 89% student satisfaction rating - higher than more than half of the Russell Group universities. In line with Royal Holloway's results in the latest NSS, TEF recognises high quality teaching, and students who are engaged with a university’s world-leading research, in a culture of innovation in teaching and learning practices.

Royal Holloway rising across the rankings

Alongside this latest ranking, 2017 has seen Royal Holloway rise in both the Guardian’s University league tables 2018 and the Complete University Guide. 

“Our own students rate us highly on their levels of satisfaction. We are distinctive in providing a close-knit, supportive community that offers world-leading courses that lead in national and international league tables. We are dedicated to excellence across the academic and student experience, and this rating lends support to the ambitious changes we have instigated to further improve our community,” explained Professor Layzell.

He concluded, “Through our developing campus, including the opening of a new state-of-the-art library later this year and the introduction of our Department of Electronic Engineering, we will continue to exceed student expectations now, and in the future.”

See where Royal Holloway ranks, explore courses and find out how to apply.