Morning, Tuesday, 24th November 2026
Online
This conference will consider next steps for reform of the Teaching Excellence Framework and the future of higher education teaching quality regulation in England. It is scheduled to follow the Office for Students’ response to the consultation on the future approach to quality education and look ahead to their proposals, which are expected to be published and consulted on in autumn 2026.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to consider outcomes of OfS’ consultation, considering how the regulatory framework might be simplified to allow higher education institutions more flexibility, and what a proportional regulatory approach might look like in practice - where intervention is taken in relation to a provider’s circumstances. Attendees will look at what is needed for metrics in assessing HE quality, and effective practice for data use to improve transparency.
Changing role of the Teaching Excellence Framework
With concerns from stakeholders that the current iteration of TEF does not focus enough on pedagogical improvement, sessions will examine how a new approach can help teaching become more responsive to student needs and ensure that ongoing long-term improvement is at its core. Discussion will consider ways in which the framework can recognise that HEIs work differently - particularly for specialist providers that may feel that current measures lose sight of fostering creativity and technical skill in students. Further discussion will assess how best to reduce bureaucracy in new measures and support staff workload reduction.
Moving towards long-term progress in quality teaching
Looking at a proposed rolling assessment cycle, attendees will consider preparation required for colleges offering higher education who did not previously participate. Discussion will consider strategies to support institutions in shifting towards continuous regulatory oversight and priorities for engaging students and managing quality across the full regulatory lifecycle. The conference will also examine the potential impact of TEF reform on staff workload, student engagement, and internal quality enhancement processes.
Delegates will consider how students can be actively engaged in providing feedback on their experiences, ensuring their perspectives are central to quality improvement efforts, including linking data and student input to tangible improvements in teaching, learning, and institutional practice, with a clear emphasis on outcomes that directly benefit students.
Transparency & reputational impact
The role of TEF in supporting transparent decision-making will be considered, alongside the implications of negative outcomes for institutional reputation and student choice. Delegates will discuss how the framework can balance public accountability with constructive support for providers, and how outcomes of TEF assessments can be communicated clearly to students, employers and other stakeholders. How regulatory transparency can reinforce confidence in quality while reducing unnecessary compliance burdens will also be discussed.
Future of TEF & HE regulation
The conference will consider responses to consultation and the second phase of proposals. Attendees will examine how the sector can prepare for changes, including embedding continuous quality monitoring, developing staff and student engagement, and aligning institutional strategies with evolving regulatory expectations. We expect emerging priorities for TEF reform to be brought out, looking at the role of metrics and evidence in shaping policy, and practical approaches to embedding long-term, sustainable improvements in teaching and learning across England’s higher education landscape.
