Preparing for TEF: how we can help you focus on your data

As we step into 2026, the next iteration of the TEF will be a priority for senior leaders across higher education. The start of the year offers the perfect moment to plan how your institution will respond.

The recent Office for Students consultation, which closed on 11 December 2025, sets out significant recommendations that will shape the future of TEF. Acting now will ensure you are ready to meet these expectations with confidence.

What do you need to do to strengthen your data foundations and get ready for the changes ahead?

What we know so far

The consultation reinforces TEF’s role within a streamlined, integrated quality framework. Based on what has been published, we expect every registered provider in England will be assessed through rolling, cyclical reviews of undergraduate and eventually postgraduate teaching quality. Providers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can choose to participate voluntarily.

We expect two core areas of assessment:

• Student experience, aligned with conditions B1 (academic experience), B2 (resources and support) and elements of B4 (assessment and feedback)
• Student outcomes, aligned with a revised B3 (continuation, completion and progression to employment or further study)

We also expect enhanced use of data, with OfS providing benchmarked indicators for both aspects, supplemented by submissions, expanded NSS data and direct student input.

The Office for Students has now published the TEF data dashboard, giving providers access to official indicators on student experience, continuation, completion and progression. This data will form the foundation of TEF assessments, so reviewing your performance against these benchmarks is an important first step.

As the sector’s trusted data partner, we are working closely with members to deliver tools, insights and guidance that strengthen data foundations and position institutions to respond confidently to the changes ahead

What might come next and why data matters

The details of what universities will be able to submit are not yet clear. However, if previous TEFs are anything to go by, there should be opportunities to provide additional evidence that demonstrates quality and improvement over time. Based on published submissions from national bodies, one might expect:

• Narrative submissions that showcase how your institution supports teaching excellence and student success
• Evidence of digital capability for staff and students, showing how you enable effective engagement with learning, assessment and feedback
• Graduate Outcomes insights to demonstrate progression and employability trends

To support these areas, institutions will need reliable data that shows progress over time. Monitoring student experience and outcomes, analysing trends in retention and progression, and capturing student feedback beyond the NSS will all help build a strong evidence base.

This is where we can help by providing tools, resources and consultancy that generate actionable insights and strengthen your TEF submission.

How we can support your TEF preparation

If previous TEFs are any guide, institutions that can provide rich, contextual evidence alongside OfS indicators will be well placed. Based on what we know so far, it appears that the following Jisc services could strengthen your submission:

• Learning analytics tools that use engagement data to identify patterns and provide insights into student success at course and group level, helping institutions take timely, evidence-based action
• Building digital capability resources to support the development of digital skills for staff and students, with rich data on engagement and progress that can demonstrate how your institution is enabling effective use of digital tools for learning, assessment and feedback - valuable evidence for TEF submissions
• Graduate Outcomes analysis and insights, helping you interpret progression data and identify trends that strengthen your TEF narrative
• Consultancy and guidance to help you assess and improve your data maturity, ensuring your institution can use evidence effectively to meet TEF requirements and drive continuous quality improvement.

Explore our TEF 2027 toolkit to see how our services map to TEF metrics and strengthen your submission.

Getting started this January

1. Audit your current data landscape and identify where you already capture TEF-relevant evidence and where gaps remain.
2. Engage data, analytics and academic teams in planning how to enhance data collection and reporting tools.
3. Explore our toolkit. Our frameworks, technologies and expert teams can help embed the evidence and digital capabilities needed to meet the evolving TEF expectations.

January is the perfect moment to act. By focusing on sustained data-driven insights into teaching quality and student experience, you will be well placed to tackle the next TEF cycle with confidence. With the right digital foundations in place, supported by Jisc’s services, you can transform regulatory requirements into strategic opportunities that enhance quality, equity and outcomes across your institution.