NO university or college in the county has achieved the top mark for teaching, under a new inspection scheme.

Six universities and colleges have been awarded silver in the newly-released Teaching Excellence Framework – the first major assessment of higher education teaching standards.

The new assessments have come under fire nationally from some top universities with at least one appealing its bronze rating.

Of 295 taking part, 26 per cent gained gold, 50 per cent silver and 24 per bronze.

The ratings, launched to gain more evidence about standards at universities ahead of plans to link quality to tuition fee increases, are decided by an independent panel of academics, students and employer representatives based on national data and evidence from colleges and universities.

The universities of Brighton, Sussex and Chichester, Sussex Downs College, Chichester College and the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, all received silver while Sussex Coast College Hastings received a provisional award because of insufficient data.

The MET was praised for high levels of employer engagement in designing teaching programmes which ensured students gained knowledge and skills most highly valued by employers.

Sharon Collett, who is principal at The Met, said: “We are delighted the MET has been rewarded for the excellent quality of learning and teaching. Our graduates go on to experience fantastic career success — working for industry-leading organisations, performing in the West End, exhibiting at international exhibitions, and one has even won an Oscar.”

The University of Sussex was praised for its significant investment in the university campus, including high quality physical and digital learning resources.

Vice-chancellor Adam Tickell said: “We are proud that our teaching excellence and dedication to social mobility has been recognised with this new award. We have proved bold interventions can level the playing field so that people from all backgrounds and circumstances succeed with their degrees and careers.”

The University of Brighton was praised for its personalised learning and support, particularly with students from diverse backgrounds during pre-entry and first year, and its close working relationships with professional bodies, employers and local community groups.