Silver Award

Leeds Beckett University has been awarded 'Silver' status in the National Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

Image of students taking handwritten notes in a lecture theatre
Flag and the top of James Graham building against a blue sky
Tef Silver logo

Leeds Beckett University has been awarded ‘silver’ status in the National Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). 

This is a nationally recognised mark of quality for the education offered to current students and applicants to the University.

Vice Chancellor Peter Slee

This silver award is an important outcome for the university and our students. It is a powerful endorsement of a Leeds Beckett education, and our commitment to delivering an excellent professional education.

  1. What is the Teaching Excellence Framework?

    The nationwide Teaching Excellence Framework was introduced by the government to evaluate the quality of the undergraduate student experience, recognising excellent learning and teaching in universities. TEF awards institutions either a gold, silver or bronze ranking. There is also a fourth ranking of ‘a provisional award’ which identifies those organisations working towards a TEF ranking.

The award of silver to Leeds Beckett recognises ‘the excellent outcomes for the University’s majority mode full-time students with regard to retention and progression to employment and further study’.

Our university was praised for:

  • Its course design and assessment practices which enable students to develop transferable and professional skills
  • The opportunities it creates for students to engage with professional practice through live project briefs and placements
  • Its strategic focus on developing physical and digital learning resources
  • Its institutional culture that facilitates, recognises and rewards excellent teaching, through high quality support for new tutors, systematic observation of teaching and a comprehensive development programme

There is a culture here of sharing good practice, an openness to innovation and flexibility and a discipline of putting the student at the heart of curriculum development. It is hugely rewarding to see students become more confident and resilient throughout the course. I follow their development and share their enthusiasm for our profession for many years after they graduate.

Rhiannon Bates

VIP Liaison and Press Officer, The Zoological Society of London

Rhiannon studied BA (Hons) Events Management during her time at Leeds Beckett University.

“Many of the lecturers come from the industry themselves, so they can spot and nurture talent. I’m now in a role where I’ve worked on two series of ITV documentary The Zoo, given David Beckham a tour and helped organise a gala dinner at which Usain Bolt was the guest of honour.”


Student view BA (Hons) Events Management student Rhiannon discusses studying at Leeds Beckett University.

BA (Hons) Events Management

Paul Heckingbottom

Head Coach, Barnsley Football Club

Paul studied BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and MSc Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University.

“I’ve been involved in professional football since leaving school and have more than 400 first-team appearances and a series of FA coaching qualifications under my belt, but I still wanted something more. Leeds Beckett showed me just how far my experience could take me, and with my enjoyment for studying going through the roof, I was keen to take it up a level and enrolled for my masters straight after my undergraduate degree. I now relate everything I learned on my course to my job - from planning coaching sessions and establishing a team structure to developing match tactics and, ultimately, improving the players.”

Image of Paul Heckingbottom in Barnsley jacket during training

Paul Heckingbottom