Tuition fees and the TEF: Higher education changes explained
The government has recently announced some changes to higher education in a White Paper and a new Higher Education and Research Bill. One of the key proposals is that the quality of teaching at universities will be assessed.
A new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) will be introduced, to ensure universities are providing good quality teaching and learning opportunities
Universities will be awarded a Meets Expectations, Excellent or Outstanding rating
The different levels of the TEF will allow universities to increase their tuition fees
In year one (2016/17) and two (2017/18) of the TEF, universities that are rated as meeting expectations will be able to raise their tuition fees in line with inflation
In year three (2018/19) there will be two fee levels. Universities rated as meeting expectations can raise their fees by up to 50% of the inflationary uplift, and those with a rating of Excellent or Outstanding can raise their fees by up to 100% of the inflationary uplift
Universities will not be able to charge more than the maximum capped amount, this means that any changes to tuition fees under the TEF will not be higher than inflation. Fee caps must be approved by Parliament, and the government will shortly announce the fee caps (with the inflationary uplift) for 2017/18.
It is proposed that if a university’s rating is reduced, it will have to reduce fees
Bournemouth University will not be increasing tuition fees for current students.
The government is now consulting further on the way that the TEF will be measured for 2017/18. BU will be responding to this consultation and keeping a close eye on the government's plans for the TEF over the coming months.
