“The combination of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) will make a significant difference to perspective students. The more informed students are of career outcomes the better they will link education choices to employment ambitions.
“We recognise that measuring teaching excellence and correlating performance to development in a student’s abilities and employment outcomes presents significant challenges – not least because the number of variables makes it difficult to establish cause and effect. However it’s disappointing that it is going to take four years for students to be able to access information at course level.
“A TEF structure needs to be implemented at a granular level. If students cannot access data at a department or subject level, performance measures run the risk of being meaningless or misleading. Data should be made available as soon as possible.
“In light of the apprenticeship levy we are already seeing a change in behavior with employers offering a more diverse range of opportunities for people to take part in, one of which is Degree Apprenticeships. The potential impact of apprenticeships should not be underestimated in the reforms and we will support businesses collaborating with and universities as valuable providers.”
