Total credits: 60 (at Level 7, Masters)
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) is a 60-credit postgraduate programme that will induct you into the principles, best practices, and ways for developing and evaluating aspects of your academic practice. Completing this programme leads to a postgraduate qualification (Postgraduate Certificate) in education and recognition as HEA Fellow.
You can complete this programme if you are a member of academic staff on probation, which requires you to obtain HEA Fellow status; or a member of academic or other staff (including professional services) whose role involves substantial teaching and/or supporting learning, for example convening modules or leading programmes,.
PGCAP is designed to inspire you to think creatively about your practice in the context of your specialist role and subject area. The programme will encourage you to make connections between your own experience, the experience of others, and learning, teaching and wider academic practice theories that have been developed by researchers and practitioners.
The PGCAP is suitable for new academic staff who may have limited experience of teaching and supporting learning, or for whom the programme may be a condition of probation. It is open, however, also to any other staff who teach at the level of module convener and are engaged in curriculum design. To qualify for the programme you will be expected to teach at least at FHEQ level 4 (year 1 undergraduate) (or equivalent), and to have planned teaching of at least ten hours over the first two semesters from enrolment. You should normally be a module convenor or have responsibility for curriculum design.
"I’ve enjoyed being a learner again; reflecting on that and bringing it into thinking re: students. The seminars and meeting individuals from other disciplines has been fun and very enlightening and as a whole it’s definitely made a positive impact on my teaching."
Admissions are now open for September 2023 start, please see How to Apply.
The overall aim of the programme is to help staff develop and enhance their practice as educators in HE. Colleagues who take the programme will be able to complete observations and practice teaching skills, and learn about a variety of educational methods and theories of learning.
The programme aims to support Queen Mary's strategic priorities for its education provision in Strategy 2030 by equipping staff with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will make them confident, effective and inclusive practitioners in their role. The programme reflects on and accommodates the needs of the different disciplines, schools/institutes and professional services at Queen Mary, and our diverse student population. The programme aims to:
Participants who successfully complete the programme will be able to:
There are seven summative assessments on PGCert Academic Practice, all coursework: one is a presentation, while six are written. All assessments are aligned to Descriptor 2 of the UK Professional Standards Framework. Please see the Taught Programmes Handbook for the full criteria.
ADP7116 / ADP7216 (DL): Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (15 credits)
ADP7117 / ADP7217 (DL): Learning and Teaching in the Disciplines (15 credits)
ADP7118 / ADP7218 (DL): Curriculum Design (15 credits)
ADP7219 (DL): Action (Practitioner) Research (15 credits)
Modules are currently delivered online, but include optional in-person activities.