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Higher Education PGCert

Get a specialist qualification covering the teaching techniques, theories and practices you'll need for a fulfilling career in Higher Education
Code
PGX343
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 years part-time
Attendance
Part-time face-to-face
Distance learning
Fees
September 2024: £65 per credit (UK) *
£84 per credit (INT) *
Course leader
Dr Suzanne Albary

Why choose Higher Education PGCert at Middlesex?

The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) will give you an important grounding in teaching techniques, approaches and theories and support your continual development as an educator. The course is fully accredited by Advance HE (formerly HEA).

This 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.

We welcome applications from staff at other Universities and institutions teaching students in Higher Education (or equivalent level).

Two modules (LED4011  and LED4013) are mandatory for all new members of academic staff 0.5 FTE and above who join Middlesex University and should be undertaken within the first two years of service. You will not need to undertake the course if you have achieved a similar, recognised qualification at another institution.

Once you successfully complete the course, you'll be awarded Fellowship (D2) of Advance HE (formerly HEA).

What you will gain

By joining us on this PGCert Higher Education course, you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Enhance your existing teaching practice through your work, allowing you to reflect on day-to-day teaching experiences
  • Apply for Fellowship of Advance HE, if you successfully complete the course

Receive 60 credits at master's level and be eligible to go on to complete an MA in Higher Education, once you've finished the course.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Top 2 university in the UK
    Times Higher Education – Young Universities, 2022
  • Postgraduate success
    93% of all our postgraduate students go on to work or further study – Graduate Outcomes, 2022
  • Specialist facilities
    These include dedicated spaces for Education Studies, a large collection of resources covering work-based learning and subject-specific areas as well as useful online resources

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

The course consists of four modules, worth 15 credits each, that allow you to develop your practice at an appropriate level and pace.

The course offers an important grounding in teaching techniques and practices and explores theories and policies that are relevant to Higher Education.

The PGCertHE is taught through two modes:

  1. Onsite/blended mode: face-to-face at our campus in north London, with study days throughout the year which are complemented by some online learning activities
  2. Distance learning: delivered entirely online with dedicated tutor support.

The PGCertHE usually has two starting dates each academic year: September and January.

September start cohort

This cohort is taught entirely online (no attendance on campus is required) via a combination of synchronous workshops, carefully curated online content and moderated discussion boards on My Learning (Moodle). Live sessions are held on Wednesdays conducted via Zoom.

You'll be expected to engage in learning together as a group and to complete some independent study. You'll also be supported individually by your tutors.

January start cohort

This cohort is taught in person on a Monday at the Middlesex University campus in north London. Onsite workshops are complemented with online activities, content and discussion boards to help develop your ideas and build a learning community.

You'll be expected to engage in learning together as a group and to complete some independent study. You'll also be supported individually by your tutors.

The timetable for this course will become available later this year

  • September cohort application deadline: 31 July 2024
  • January cohort application deadline: 22 November 2024

Dates for the September 2024 course will be available soon.

Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.

Modules

  • Modules

    • Pedagogy in Higher Education (15 credits) - Compulsory

      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:

      • Maintenance of a reflective learning blog (formative)
      • Teaching observations (two formatives and one summative)
      • Reflective narrative accompanied by of evidence of practice (summative)
    • Philosophy and Policy of Higher Education (15 credits) - Compulsory

      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:

      • Maintenance of a reflective learning blog (formative)
      • Two written pieces of coursework (summative)
    • Pedagogy and Practice in Higher Education (15 credits) - Compulsory

      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:

      • Maintenance of a reflective learning blog (formative)
      • Teaching observations (one formative and one summative)
      • Reflective report (summative)
    • Psychology of Learning in Higher Education (15 credits) - Compulsory

      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:

      • Maintenance of a reflective learning blog (formative)
      • Presentation (summative)

To find out more about this course, please download the PGCEert Higher Education course specification (PDF).

How we'll teach you

The course is delivered by our experienced academics and industry partners in person and via digital platforms. Our learning activities include lectures, presentations, webinars, one-to-one tutorials and group projects.

We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.

The course is taught via a mixture of onsite/blended (January cohort) and online (September cohort) teaching methods.

Support

You'll 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'll 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'll have access to one-to-one and group sessions for personal learning, as well as 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.

Where will you study?

You will be based at our north London campus in Hendon.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time, your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least two weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange onsite sessions.

Teaching vs independent study

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week for the September cohort looks like this:

Learning

Hours per week

Onsite workshops

3

Online

2

Independent study

11

A typical week for the January cohort looks like this:

Learning

Hours per week

Online synchronous (live workshops)

3

Online asynchronous (activities & discussions)

3

Independent study

10

Learning terms

On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, workshops and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.

Academic support

We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.

Coursework and assessments

This course is assessed via written submissions and teaching observations. Each module has at least one summative coursework assessment. Your first module - LED4011 - will also have a summative teaching observation which will support you in planning your development needs over the rest of the programme.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including reflection, reports on the practical application of theory to your professional context, summative teaching observations, and group work. Formative assessment will be used throughout the programme to provide developmental support for your practice and academic writing.

Formative and summative assessment deadlines for all modules are published at the start of the programme.

Feedback

You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement as part of developing your reflective practice. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress. Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.

Feedback on summative work will be in the form of rubrics, as well as written or audio feedback. Feedback from teaching observations will be given in the form of coaching conversations.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below refer to the 2023/24 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students*

Part-time students:

  • £63 per taught credit
  • £3,780 total fee

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students*

Part-time students:

  • £65 per taught credit
  • £3,900 total fee

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

The fees below refer to the 2023/24 academic year unless otherwise stated.

International students*

Part-time students:

  • £63 per credit
  • £4,380 total fee

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.

International students*

Part-time students:

  • £84 per credit
  • £5,050 total fee

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

Additional costs

We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.

  • Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

There are no additional costs to this course.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

How can the Higher Education PGCert support your career?

Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.

Career paths

This course is designed for educators who are already working in higher education. The PGCertHE offers you the chance to reflect upon and develop your practice, ensuring you are able to meet the needs of your institution and learners. Completion of this course will enable you to achieve Fellowship of Advance HE, which is often a requirement of application, probation or promotion in Higher Education.

MDXWorks

MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:

  • The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023 
  • A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023

Global alumni network

You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.


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.

Other courses

Education MA

Start: September 2024

Duration: 1 year full-time, 3 years part-time

Code: PGX30X

Higher Education MA

Start: September 2024

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time

Code: PGX32X

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