Best Universities for Teaching Quality 2021

At Cambridge, teaching is delivered by both an academic department and as part of a Collegiate system. Lectures and practical lab-based work is typically run by the academic department, with smaller seminars and supervision provided by colleges. It is this smaller group teaching that really sets Cambridge apart, as students are required to come to sessions prepared to engage in debate and discussion. 

Teaching at Harper Adams takes place on a 635-hectare campus, complete with farmland, laboratories, an invention hub, and a £4-million Innovation Centre, in partnership with Saputo Dairy UK. Many courses are project-based, with a blend of theoretical and practical content that’s delivered at an excellent standard and has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Assessments are varied, with work being graded through presentations, written reports and notes, oral exams and online assessments.

NUA’s unique approach of “learning through making” sets it apart as a creative, innovative and exciting learning opportunity with high quality teaching (Gold Teaching Excellence Framework rating). All the courses are practical and are focused on completing projects and developing students’ portfolios, with access to specialist studios and professional equipment used in industry, and with acclaimed guest speakers providing insight into the creative industry. There are no exams in sight; students are assessed on the creative work they produce throughout the course and the quality of their portfolio.

With innovation and thinking at the heart of teaching strategies, immersive learning sees students take a lead in their own learning and development at Warwick. Study spaces are varied and well equipped, and students learn from academic staff who are experts in their fields. Teaching takes places through lectures in big groups and smaller scale seminars, tutorials and labs, and provides students with the best of internationally connected teaching.

Keele continues to invest; providing its students with innovative teaching and world-class facilities. These facilities give students access to analytical industry and research high-end grade laboratory equipment to use in their day-to-day studies, creating highly employable student graduates. Past students have described lecturers as “unfailingly knowledgeable”, and have benefitted from the creative thinking of staff, using ‘flipped classrooms’ to encourage students to develop independent learning and research skills.

Imperial College uses interactive and varied teaching delivery methods, involving whole cohort lectures and tutorials and labs in smaller groups, and making the most of external content available on the internet, such as videos and podcasts. Students receive Gold standard (Teaching Excellence Framework) teaching that’s been adapted well in the COVID-19 pandemic, with Imperial developing virtual field trips and a “Lab in a Box” that was posted to students to ensure they could continue to learn practical skills.

Students studying at St Andrews will be able to take advantage of a teaching delivery strategy designed to develop and extract the potential of everyone. Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, and labs/fieldwork. In addition to this, undergraduates will be offered audio-visual and computer assisted learning aides, research and reading skills lessons and mini-conferences aimed to inspire future research and academic practice. Receiving a TEF Gold certification, St Andrews delivers relatively small class sizes, directed towards a more personal teaching experience.

Combining one of the most beautiful campuses in the country with internationally recognised research and teaching, Royal Holloway provides an enriching and exciting learning experience. A focus of its committed teaching strategy is the inclusion of regular one-to-one tutor sessions, led by an academic staff member. Lecture and seminar content is research driven and contemporary, with assignments taking a variety of formats, including creating podcasts and mock research grant applications.

Sheffield’s ‘life after university’ blends lectures and real-world applications in an extensive, empowering, and effective teaching strategy. Sheffield’s cemented position in the research and industrywide sectors allows its students the chance to work alongside external organisations in addition to students studying different courses. Sustainable teaching practices are a pioneering quality of Sheffield, with every course soon to be implementing Education for Sustainable Development, equipping students with the knowledge and capabilities to react to environmental challenges.

Split across lectures, seminars, labs/fieldwork and tutoring, students are offered the forefront of modern teaching, with the future holding exciting possibilities. The University of Glasgow is currently undergoing campus development like never before. With teaching excellence at its heart, the new 14-acre site offers flexible learning spaces and ‘technology-enabled teaching resources’, as well as allowing space for one-to-one skills tutoring. 

It is no wonder the University of Bath received Gold Teaching Excellence Framework certification. With a mixed medium teaching strategy of in-person lectures, seminars, and fieldwork/labs, integrated with progressive digital learning, Bath remains at the forefront of teaching delivery and support. In addition to this, Bath’s Centre for Learning & Technology helps support staff to continually develop and deliver the highest quality learning and teaching. This works to support both student and staff career development, as well as progressive curriculum transformation.

The University of Liverpool has always attracted students for its beautiful and bustling setting, and its world leading teaching methods. Teaching consists of face-to-face sessions (seminars, tutorials and workshops) and online learning sessions (lectures). Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool’s teaching resilience has become more evident than ever, allowing students the opportunity to continue to learn and develop with a blended teaching approach that continues to attract thousands of students each year.

The pedigree of the University of Nottingham can be traced back to its teaching and learning excellence. Recent developments such as the Educational Excellence site is helping develop these teaching qualities further. Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, labs/fieldwork, and tutorials. With several members of Nottingham’s staff receiving the Dearing Award for teaching excellence, it’s hard to dispute its TEF Gold certification. Student feedback is highlighted as a crucial component in the future development of the university, demonstrating its commitment to placing its students’ teaching and learning first.

It is easy to see why Staffordshire University was awarded Gold certification for its teaching (Teaching Excellence Framework). Under the knowledgeable expertise of Staffordshire’s teaching staff, students can expect a passionate mixed teaching approach, across a wide medium of learning environments, developing sought-after employability skills. With international industry connections and world leading research, students experience high standards in teaching, careers help and progression.

Newcastle University’s Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework doesn’t come as a surprise when considering the content of their degree courses is developed alongside industry professionals, ensuring learning is contemporary and applicable to future careers. Teaching is delivered through a blended approach of face to face and online learning, with a rich variety of videos, quizzes, online and in-person discussions, and written work to develop knowledge and check understanding.

Nottingham Trent University is no stranger to recognition for its teaching, having been awarded Gold by the Teaching Excellence Framework, so it comes as no surprise to see them here. What sets NTU apart is its innovative teaching strategy, placing students at the forefront of ground-breaking research opportunities, and its focus on employability skills and experiences through its work placement schemes. This, coupled with the extensive industry and research backgrounds of lecturers, provides NTU students with the steppingstones to propel them beyond their time at university.

Students studying at UEA can expect the latest in technology-based teaching methods. With recent infrastructure investment such as the building for Science and Engineering, UEA offers adaptable course delivery, alongside a new pioneering range of visual and audio support systems to facilitate all learning needs. With 130 dedicated teaching, seminar, and lecture spaces, UEA directs a dedicated teaching strategy aimed towards the enhancement of learning opportunities that's earned Gold certification from the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Teaching at the University of Exeter is delivered by a range of exceptional lecturers and researchers. Pioneers in fields such as climate change, Exeter’s commitment to the inspiration of its students remains at the forefront of teaching. Students can expect a wide range of Gold standard (Teaching Excellence Framework) teaching delivery strategies, including campus lectures, seminars, and lab/fieldwork. Exeter’s international academic recognition allows a wide range of national and international placements. Recently Exeter’s commitment to developing remote learning strategies that continue to develop and inspire students have been recognised, with students praising their "committed" approach in StudentCrowd reviews.

With a strong background in research, King’s College provides teaching from knowledgeable staff who are actively involved in research in their field, meaning course content is contemporary and exciting. Implementing a ‘six stage’ strategy to expand students’ learning opportunities, KCL ensures all their students learn and develop crucial discipline-specific skills that equip them for their future careers. KCL has progressed in leaps and bounds when it comes to digital learning, through their Centre for Technology Enhanced Learning, which provides flexible digital learning opportunities to students.

With their recent investment of £17million into a state-of-the-art STEMLab for students studying  science and engineering courses, and their plans for a brand new ‘Student Learning Zone’, it’s no wonder students rate the teaching at Loughborough so highly.. Teaching takes place in lecture theatres, classrooms, studios and laboratories across the campus, and is enhanced by guest lectures and completing projects set by industry professionals.