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“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.” Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.” Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
PgCert Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education
If you're currently employed in teaching and learning in higher or professional education, this Advance HE-approved distance-learning programme offers you the opportunity to develop high-quality skills in teaching, professional practice, scholarship and research. We'll also support you in developing a critical approach to supporting student learning.
Key information
Award:
PgCert
Mode of Study:
Part-time Distance Learning
Duration:
32 weeks
Location:
University of Bolton
Start date:
To be confirmed
Course Details
This online course is designed for those seeking professional recognition as a Fellow of Advance HE. Underpinned by the relevant professional standards, it's designed to help you attain professional recognition for your work, meet your organisational goals and enhance your professional profile.
This programme consists of two modules. The first, Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education, is designed to help you learn how to plan for effective and inclusive teaching and learning environments. You'll have the opportunity to study the theories, principles and application of teaching and learning strategies, as well as explore action learning, enquiry and work-based learning, and technology-enabled and reflective learning.
The second module, Professional Academic Practice in Action, supports you in exploring the nature of action research and its application to programme planning, design and evaluation in professional practice. This module also covers professional ethics, the policy context, and broader issues that impact professional academic practice in higher education.
Highlights
The course aims to help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the local and national context and trends across the sector.
By committing to ongoing critical reflection, evaluation and action, you could develop high-level scholarship and research-informed practice.
Professional recognition (AFHEA or FHEA) is achieved through completion of the programme.
Our supportive learning environments promote learning, equality of opportunity, and responsiveness to student diversity.
Key Features
You'll have the chance to evaluate current developments, up-to-date research in teaching and learning, and your own professional practice.
Online sessions and one-to-one support are offered by our team of highly experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated experts.
Our academic team is actively involved in educational research, helping you to explore issues from a robust research-informed knowledge base.
Our well-stocked library offers a comprehensive selection of relevant texts and access to an extensive online database of multimedia sources, including eJournals, podcasts, vodcasts and eBooks.
Professional recognition
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education is informed by the UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF) for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education.
The programme has been approved by Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy - HEA) for those seeking Fellowship of the HEA. Associate Fellow is awarded after completion of module EDM7040 or EDM7042 and Fellow after completing the full programme.
If you're not employed at an Advance HE subscribing institution, additional fees may apply that you will need to pay directly to Advance HE.
Normally, you'll have at least an upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent).
You must be currently teaching (at least 6 hours per week or equivalent) as you are required to reflect critically on your experience and relate theory to practice.
You must produce a reference or letter of support from your organisational line manager.
You must have an identified mentor in teaching practice.
As this is an online course, you'll need access to a computer with the appropriate software and accessories, including a webcam, microphone and a sufficient broadband connection. You'll also need basic IT skills. In particular, you'll need to be able to access and use the University of Bolton's virtual learning environment, Moodle. Please contact the programme leader for details if you are uncertain that you'll be able to meet these requirements.
We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.5 with normally no less than 6.0 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
This postgraduate course is ideal if you already have experience and current employment in teaching and learning in higher or professional education. It aims to help you develop high-quality teaching skills underpinned by relevant professional practice, scholarship and research skills. It can help you develop a critical, reflective and scholarly approach to teaching and supporting student learning.
Skills gained through this course can enhance your professional practice in a wide range of areas, including developing learning plans, creative and innovative methods for teaching, approaches to learner assessment and support, designing and managing programmes of learning and accountability in assessment. Additionally, it aims to develop your e-learning and communication skills.
What can I do with this qualification?
This course is designed to enhance your career potential by developing your skills as an academic staff member in higher education institutions. Therefore, it could improve your promotion prospects within higher education or improve access to a higher education career.
The skills and knowledge on offer would benefit anyone aiming for a career in education. Obtaining this qualification will assist entry to further study at the master's or doctoral level; for instance, when applying to the University of Bolton's MA Teaching and Learning or doctorate programmes.
Alternative career options
Postgraduate certificate holders can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible careers include:
Higher education
Education officer
Mentoring
Family liaison
Educational psychology
Education administration
Student services advice
Student liaison
Educational writing and journalism
Examinations
Counselling
Careers guidance
Training
Quality Standards
Course fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £2,640 for the academic year 2023/24.
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £4,516 for the academic year 2023/24.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
Admissions
University of Bolton
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the
restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in
September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our
Course Search.
You'll study two core modules, each worth 30 credits at HE7 (master's level). Throughout the course, we aim to deliver stimulating, challenging and engaging programmes of study that help you broaden and deepen your knowledge.
By building on your current knowledge and experience with informed research, this course aims to help you develop the skills needed to study at the master's level. You'll be exposed to a mix of subject knowledge, theoretical perspectives and professional best practices, using a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies to enhance your overall experience.
To help keep you engaged, we'll use various teaching and learning methods, such as lectures, presentations, seminars, workshops, group work, action learning, and group and individual tutorials. This course also features the use of technology and multimedia: resources are made available through our virtual learning environments (VLEs), and much of the course communication will also be conducted via VLEs.
You'll also be encouraged to build strong relationships with your peers, sharing ideas and discussing relevant ideas for practice and development. Personal study time is also a significant element of this programme.
Assessment will also be varied. You can expect to complete coursework such as critical reflections, presentations, portfolios and a written project.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher and Professional Education
Professional Academic Practice in Action
Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher and Professional Education - Online Version
Professional Academic Practice in Action - Online Version
Assessment methods
Level
Assesment method
Level one
Coursework 80%, Practical exams 20%
Learning activities
Level
Learning activity
Level one
Guided independent study 88%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 12%
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
