Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice in Higher Education

Programme outline

The Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice (PGCPP) provides professional accreditation for practitioners in Higher Education. The programme gives you the opportunity to gain knowledge and expertise in delivering, designing and researching teaching, learning and assessment, related to the practical context in which they work.

The emphasis is on developing staff who constantly reflect upon their own professional practice, who understand teaching as facilitating learning and who seek to improve the quality of their teaching, research and student learning.

This programme is accredited by the Higher Education Academy and is aligned with Standard Descriptor 2 of the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education (UKPSF). Successful completion of the programme entitles participants to recognition as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Modules and content

1. Delivering a high quality learning experience
2. Designing effective learning and assessment experiences
3. Researching and disseminating pedagogic practice

Timetable

• 9 whole day inputs as shown in the timetable overleaf
• 4 action learning set meetings with your colleagues
• 5 lunchtime seminars
• negotiated time with your mentor and module tutors
  

Download the 2010/2011 timetable (PDF).

Learning, teaching & assessment

The research module requires some substantive scholarship informed by your own research practice.

Assessment is through an e-portfolio from which these items are presented:

Delivering a high quality learning experience

• an assignment related to the residential and away-day programmes
• an activity related to VLE-based teaching and assessment
• a critical incident report linking literature and theory to practice
• a record of four observed teaching/student support sessions with plans, rationale and critical reflection.

Designing effective learning and assessment experiences

• design and evaluation of a module or short course
• a record of effective assessment design, delivery and feedback practice
• a record of a minimum of 20 hours of ‘independent study’ activity
• a concluding report reflecting on the applications of issues and concepts encountered for own practices/contexts

Researching and disseminating pedagogic practice

• Initial research proposal including ethical approval evidence
• interim project report at half-way stage
• final research paper of about 4,000 words
• an oral presentation.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

APL claims may be made for prior certificated learning. No more than 20 credits exemption can be granted and this will depend on the nature and currency of the learning. Please note this is an advanced course for practicing HE teachers.

Entry requirements

To join this programme, you should be able to meet the following criteria:

• be an active lecturer, tutor or other staff member who teaches or supports students’ learning in higher education contexts
• have enough of a teaching and assessment workload to be able to demonstrate your skills in large group, small group and 1-to-1 contexts
• have a first degree from a recognised University or Institute of Higher Education, or a qualification deemed by the University to be at least of equivalent standing.

For more information, contact the programme director, Dr Anne Wheeler: a.wheeler@aston.ac.uk 0121 204 5227

Further information and applications

Dr Anne Wheeler, Programme Manager
a.wheeler@aston.ac.uk   |   0121 204 5227

Dr John Blewitt, Director of Lifelong Learning
j.d.blewitt@aston.ac.uk     |   0121 204 4284