POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON

The Learning Enhancement & Professional Development Unit (LEPDU) at the University of Bolton offers a Continuing Professional Development award in Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education for all staff at the University of Bolton and our collaborative partners, as part of a broader Academic Practice and Professional Development scheme. The Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education aims to develop high quality teaching skills which are underpinned by relevant professional practice, scholarship and research and to develop a critical and reflective approach to teaching and supporting student learning.

The Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education| programme has been developed to:

• Support the University of Bolton Strategic goal, "to consistently deliver academic excellence" by supporting staff in developing high-quality teaching skills underpinned by relevant, current professional practice, scholarship and research, with the aim to enhance the student learning experience and aid retention
• Be an integrated and University-wide owned programme (with stakeholder involvement from across the University) aimed at developing a shared commitment to the professional development of staff and the enhancement of the student learning experience as part of a broader organisational culture change
• meet the Professional and development needs of staff across the University in relation to the role of the Bolton Academic and Bolton Professional
• be at the core of the development of an Academic Practice and Professional Development scheme for all staff at the University
• engage with the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education
• Align with the FHEQ Masters level qualification descriptors

The programme is intended to support those who have a significant role in teaching and/or supporting learning to demonstrate their commitment to ongoing professional development and engagement with the requirements of the UK Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education (i.e. Standard Descriptors One and Two).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in HE is aimed to support:

• HE lecturers or collaborative partners teaching in HE, with less that 3 years full time equivalent experience, (whether full or part-time), in their development as teachers and managers of student learning
• Members of staff for whom the Post graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, has been identified as a personal and professional development outcome through the University Professional Development Planning process
• More experienced HE lecturers who wish to reflect on and develop their practice and/or as part of gaining higher level qualifications
• Anyone who works in a Higher Education context and whose role includes responsibility for supporting and facilitating student learning eg learning technologists, librarians, student services support staff, student liasion officers, laboratory technicians, Post graduate and Post Doctorate research students and research assistants/fellows.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME

The Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education| comprises of three 20 credit modules (HE7):

• Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education
• Curriculum Design and Assessment in Higher Education
• Professional Academic Practice in Action

Each course member will be supported by a School/Unit mentor throughout the first two modules and for the Mentor Review of Professional Practice| strand of the programme.

As a course member you will work within a community of enquiry to explore teaching and learning within a programme which draws upon multi-disciplinary expertise from across the University, based on an inclusive philosophy which welcomes many voices in our pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning.

The course provides the opportunity for you to engage in debate with other professionals within the HE sector and, in addition to meeting the UK Professional Standards Framework|. On successful completion you will attain professional recognition with the Higher Education Academy (HEA)|. 

Sue Burkinshaw
Head of Learning Enhancement & Professional Development

How to Apply:

Please apply directly to the University of Bolton using the standard application form. Further details are available at:

http://www.bolton.ac.uk/ProspectiveStudents/ApplyAndJoin/AppTaughtMasters.aspx|

Mode of attendance:  Part-time. Currently the course is taught each Friday morning

Duration:  Currently, three semesters to complete the full programme. Each module takes one semester.

Entry requirements: Applicants should hold a first degree (or equivalent) Applicants must demonstrate that they:

Have a significant role in teaching and/or facilitating learning in higher education and are ready to undertake study at Masters Level (HE7)

Tuition fees: Please contact Student Data Management Fees Enquiries on +44 (0) 1204 903406 or +44 (0) 903059 for details.

Awarding body: University of Bolton

Location: University of Bolton: Deane Road Bolton BL3 5AB

ABOUT THE COURSE

The course includes a variety of teaching and learning approaches in order to ensure quality, breadth and to demonstrate different learning and teaching approaches. Participants are encouraged to work as a community of enquiry, which is supported by lectures, guest speakers, group activities, peer presentations and action learning sets.

What you will learn

Throughout the programme, the approaches to learning and teaching are designed to promote the development of a community of enquiry. In turn, this supports a critical reflective approach to learning and teaching in Higher Education and the personal and professional development of teachers within their specific subject discipline.

Writing reflectively and critically about teaching and learning is an important aspect of the course, and you will be assessed in the first two modules through the presentation of an academic, reflective journal which explores your own practice. You will also be asked to share these reflections through a presentation to peers.

What you will study

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education| comprises of three 20 credit modules at level HE7. These are:

Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education with Mentor Review of Professional Practice (Module 1)

In this module you will critically reflect on the strategies, approaches and theories that inform the creation of effective, dynamic and diverse learning environments in Higher Education. You will examine the ways in which professional approaches may be applied to supporting learning within subject disciplines through creativity, innovation, problem solving and enquiry, and you will consider the skills, attributes and characteristics of teachers who can engage with learners effectively. At the heart of the module is the development of an inclusive and diverse community of enquiry which will engage with the areas of activity, core knowledge and professional values articulated in the UK Professional Standards Framework| for teaching and supporting learning in higher education. The module will also explore the impact on technology in the development, implementation and assessment of in teaching and learning best practices.

Curriculum Design and Assessment in Higher Education with Mentor Review of Professional Practice (Module 2)

In this module you will develop a critical understanding of current educational practices in the theories of course/module design and assessment in HE in the context of key challenges of recruitment, retention and achievement. The module will develop an appreciation of the necessity for inclusive models of curriculum design and planning complemented by an understanding of how assessment informs teaching and learning. This module will require course members to engage with the areas of activity, core knowledge and professional values articulated in the UK Professional Standards Framework| for teaching and supporting learning in higher education, (Standard Descriptor Two).

Professional Academic Practice in Action (Module 3)

In this module you will be required to undertake an action research project related to supporting the learner experience within the context of your own working environment.

This module will help you to foster an innovative, reflective, evaluative and informed professional approach to academic practice, that is, scholarship of and for practice; increase your understanding of learning, teaching and assessment processes as they apply to your speciality; support you in tackling practical problems and challenges you experience with respect to any aspect of academic practice for the benefit of learners or other stakeholders in your academic practice; and enable you to reflect upon and plan your career and professional development.

This module will require participants to engage with the areas of activity, core knowledge and professional values articulated in the UK Professional Standards Framework| for teaching and supporting learning in higher education, (Standard Descriptor Two).

All modules are available as ‘stand alone’.

Special Features

Professional development through Mentor Review

Mentor Review of Professional Practice| is a key element of professional development on the Postgraduate Programme and takes place during the study of the two modules ‘Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education’ and ‘Curriculum Design and Assessment’.

The Mentor Review of Professional Practice is developmental in focus and is designed to promote accumulation of knowledge of teaching through dialogue and encourage all participants to reflect on and investigate their own teaching practices.

Action research within your own subject discipline

The Professional Academic Practice in Action module provides an opportunity for practitioners to undertake research that has a direct bearing and consequence to their practice.  You will be able to identify the dimensions that are most relevant to your development as a professional in Higher Education and engage in a detailed project with the support of an action learning set and mentor.

Professional Recognition

On successful completion of Module One, ‘Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education’ (20 credits HE7), you will have demonstrated engagement with Standards Descriptors One of the UK Professional Standards and claim recognition with the Higher Education Academy| at Associate membership level.

On successful completion of the first, second and third modules, (20 credits each at HE7) ‘Teaching and Supporting Student Learning in Higher Education’, ‘Curriculum Design and Assessment in Higher Education’ and ‘Professional Academic Practice in Action’ you will be able to demonstrate engagement with Standards Descriptors One and Two of the UK Professional Standards and be recognised with Fellowship status with the Higher Education Academy|.

Contact us

For an informal discussion about the course please contact:

Please contact Student Services on +44 (0)1204 903733 or +44 (0)1204 903497.