University of Derby: Gold Status for teaching excellence

In an exciting development that reverberates throughout our campuses at Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), our esteemed academic partner, the University of Derby, has once again secured the prestigious Gold Status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for 2023. This remarkable achievement underscores not only the University's unwavering dedication to exceptional education but also the invaluable role it plays in shaping the hospitality academic journey of our students at SHMS. 

The Teaching Excellence Framework, awarded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, serves as a national beacon for excellence in higher education. It scrutinizes critical facets of education that resonate most with students: the quality of teaching, the efficacy of learning for students, and the overall educational experience found in the United Kingdom. It was introduced to encourage and raise the profile of teaching excellence in universities and colleges and is intended to help people choose where to study, by providing clear information about teaching provision and student outcomes. 

Derby's attainment of the Gold rating in the TEF is a resounding endorsement of its unyielding commitment to providing exemplary teaching and nurturing an environment where students can flourish. Derby has always been known for its personalized learning, engagement of students, outstanding resources, and its culture of excellent teaching as particular areas of strength. Beyond this prestigious overall rating, Derby has garnered a Gold rating for student experience, underlining its dedication to fostering a supportive and enriching learning atmosphere. Additionally, the University has been bestowed with a Silver rating for student outcomes, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring that students attain positive and fulfilling results from their studies. 

This latest accolade in the TEF builds upon Derby's prior successes, including its initial achievement of a Gold rating when the framework was inaugurated in 2017. This consistent record of excellence underscores the University's enduring pledge to enhancing the educational voyage of its students. 

Derby's commitment to exceptional teaching and learning is also reflected in various other nationally recognized benchmarks. In the National Student Survey 2023, the University secured a place in the Top 20 nationally for assessment and feedback, demonstrating its commitment to delivering constructive and valuable feedback to students. Furthermore, The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 ranked Derby in the Top 20 for teaching quality, a testament to its exceptional teaching standards. In the Complete University Guide 2024, the University claimed a position in the Top 20 in the UK for overall student satisfaction, further highlighting its ability to provide a gratifying and fulfilling academic experience. 

A Perspective from Dr. Dominic Szambowski, Dean of Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) 

Dr. Dominic Szambowski, Dean of SHMS, expressed his enthusiasm about this remarkable achievement by our partner institution. “Since SHMS was founded in 1992, the University of Derby has been our longest-standing and largest university partnership. We are a Derby-approved partner institution since 1998. We are immensely proud of the University of Derby's Gold rating and how it reaffirms our shared commitment to providing a world-class education to our students at SHMS." 

He further emphasized the importance of this partnership, saying, “We have high academic standards, but also having a Big Sister like Derby training our faculty in the latest Higher Education Learning & Teaching methods helps SHMS. I love the positive “Derby Effect” on our campus. SHMS is unashamedly a mixture of Vocational and Higher Education, and that is a good formula when seeking employment after the degree is finished.  We are in touch with what is breaking into the industry, and our teachers practice the latest teaching methodology.” 

Dr. Szambowski also highlighted the enduring impact of this recognition: "The Gold rating in the TEF is not just a testament to Derby's commitment to excellence; it's a validation of the academic rigor and the outstanding learning environment that our students are exposed to. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to provide our students with the highest quality education." 

“I congratulate our good friends at Derby and echo the observation of University of Derby Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kathryn Mitchell, who said: ‘I am incredibly proud that the University has been awarded a Gold rating for teaching excellence. We have built a strong reputation in terms of our teaching quality, and the Gold rating is confirmation that we are delivering to the highest standard. We put our students at the heart of everything we do and are pleased to see that our excellent student experience, and the hard work of our staff, is recognized in the TEF.’”