THE University of York is appealing against a negative ranking in a teaching league table which they say does not reflect the institution’s excellence.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rankings were published earlier this week, and gave some prestigious and Russell Group universities lower rankings than they expected.

The TEF is supposed to recognise excellence in teaching and learning, and help prospective students make choices about their education. Running for the first year as a trial, it gives out bronze, silver and gold awards based on data like continuation rates, student satisfaction and employment outcomes.

Published for the first time this year, the TEF awards have given the University of York and York College silver rankings, while York St John has got a bronze.

The University of York is now one of four institutions appealing their ranking. A spokesman said: “We can confirm that we are appealing against our TEF silver rating.

“We do not believe that the silver rating reflects the teaching excellence offered here at York.

“We are unable to offer any further comment whilst the appeal process is underway.”

TEF’s silver ranking means the university is considered to be “delivering high quality teaching, learning and outcomes for its students and “consistently exceeding rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education.”

However, it falls short of the gold ranking, which would mark an institution out as “of the highest quality found in the UK”.

Other appeals are being made by Durham, which also got a silver ranking, and the Liverpool and Southampton which both got bronze rankings. Appeal decisions are expected by August.