Studying the PGCert Higher Education provides an important grounding in teaching techniques, approaches and theories as well as supporting the continuing development of your teaching practice. The programme is fully accredited by the Advance HE (formerly HEA).
The PGCert Higher Education is a vital developmental qualification for both new members of academic staff who are just embarking on a career in Higher Education, as well as those who may have been teaching for a while but have had no formal guidance in learning and teaching strategies.
It is mandatory for all new members of academic staff 0.5 FTE and above who join the University, and should be undertaken within the first two years of service. You will not need to undertake the programme if you have achieved a similar, recognised qualification at another institution.
Successful completion of the full programme confers Fellowship of the Advanced HE (formerly HEA) on members of staff.
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The programme comprises four modules, 15 credits each, that allow students to develop their practice at an appropriate level and pace.
The programme offers an important grounding in teaching techniques and practices as well as providing support mechanisms for the continuing development of teaching practice beyond the confines of the programme itself. The programme is fully accredited by the Advanced HE (formerly HEA).
This programme is taught through two modes:
The PGCert HE will have two starting dates in the next academic year: September 2021 and January 2022.
This cohort will undertake the programme entirely online (no attendance on campus is required) via a combination of carefully curated online content, asynchronous discussion boards on My Learning (Moodle). In addition, virtual live sessions will be held on Wednesdays conducted via Zoom.
You are expected to engage in learning together as a group and completing some independent study, as well as being supported individually by the tutors.
Important update: The January 2022 cohort will study fully online. We want the best for our students and due to the rising number of Covid19 infections we feel that it is safer to continue with the online learning option for this cohort. We will continue to deliver the course as it is now using a mix of live online sessions, asynchronous activities and online resources with no attendance on campus required.
This module focuses on your development as a teacher. It offers a range of practical techniques and methods, underpinned by scholarship, which supports your work with students and allows you to grow in confidence. The core topics of the module will introduce the key learning theories and approaches, and identify the needs of a diverse group of learners. You will learn to structure and plan learning experiences, learning materials and effective teaching techniques to engage students. You will explore assessment strategies and the theories that underpin such approaches as well as effective feedback practices and theories. You will ensure that your curriculum design promotes learning.
Assessment
The module will be assessed by:
This module focuses on the study of higher education from different philosophical perspectives and explores key debates in national and international higher education policy. The core topics of the module will explore the purpose and aims of higher education as well as the notion of education flourishing and what it is to be human. You will look at higher education policy and current developments, and focus on diversity in higher education and the marketisation of higher education.
Assessment
The module will be assessed by:
This module focuses on the key aspects of module and programme design, including the importance of classroom methodologies and assessment systems in promoting and supporting learning. The core topics of the module will explore strategies to engage students in a variety of contexts and disciplines as well as assessment strategies and the theories that underpin such approaches. You will learn effective feedback practices and theories, and curriculum design to promote inclusive learning.
Assessment
The module will be assessed by:
This module focuses on promoting student engagement and learning through the study of various psychological theories and practical applications relevant to enhancing the experience of higher education. The core topics of the module will focus on psychological perspectives and research on thinking and learning. You will explore motivation and agentic engagement with feedback as well as positive psychology, emotional intelligence, resilience and development of self-identity
and self-efficacy. You will understand organisational change management and evaluation approaches for implementing
developments in higher education.
Assessment
The module will be assessed by:
You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are not offered on every course. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
Please download the September 2022 and January 2023 start timetable for details of the course dates and times.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt in recent years by enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.
Important update: The September 2022 cohort will study fully online. We want the best for our students and due to the rising number of Covid19 infections we feel that it is safer to continue with the online learning option for this cohort. We will continue to deliver the course as it is now using a mix of live online sessions, asynchronous activities and online resources with no attendance on campus required. We plan to return to campus based teaching from January 2023.
Support
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
Start: September 2023
Duration: 1,2 or 3 years part-time, dependant on previous experience and qualifications
Code: PGX30X
Start: January 2023
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time
Code: PGX32X
