This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process. Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by July 2024 after which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.

PgCert Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education

If you're currently employed in teaching and learning in higher or professional education, then this Advance HE approved programme may be for you. If you're employed at the University of Bolton, then this programme is ideal if you have relevant experience, and aspire to gain a teaching qualification and professional recognition.

Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education

Key information

Award:

PgCert

Mode of Study:

Part-time

Duration:

30 weeks

Location:

University of Bolton

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

This course is designed for those seeking a teaching qualification and 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 Supporting Learning in Higher and Professional Education, covers essential topics such as teaching methodologies, learning strategies, assessment techniques, and feedback mechanisms. Tasks include a reflective screencast demonstrating your alignment with the D1 Associate Fellowship criteria of Advance HE.

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 focuses on an action research project, which involves obtaining ethical approval, conducting primary research, and presenting your findings at the Online PgCert Conference. You will also reflect on your teaching practice and provide evidence of meeting the D2 Fellowship Criteria through reflective narratives.

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.
  • You'll have the chance to consider how to improve the quality of the learner experience by sharing good practice with a network of professional peers.
  • 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.
  • This postgraduate certificate provides the opportunity to work collaboratively and network with a range of teaching professionals.
  • Face-to-face sessions and continual 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 Professional Standards Framework (PSF) for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education.

The programme is accredited by Advance HE. It may lead to Fellowship of Advance HE after successful completion and award of the 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 at an accepted employer) 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.

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 a teacher in higher or professional education. 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 in Higher and Professional Education 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

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 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.

Additional costs

There may be some additional or optional costs associated with this course. These will be published after approval of the programme.


For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

Course application details are unavailable at present

Course application details are unavailable at present

Course application details are unavailable at present


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. This course also features the use of technology and multimedia: resources are made available through our virtual learning environments (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.

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.

The academic staff detailed above teach across a range of courses in this subject area and may not teach on this course specifically.

Programme Contacts

Lisa Adjei
Senior Lecturer, Programme Leader and Admissions Tutor

L.Adjei@bolton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1204 903309

Rose Childs
Senior Lecturer, Advance HE Operational Lead and Admissions Tutor

R.Childs@bolton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1204 903689

Enquiry Team
University of Bolton

enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1204 903903

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Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
Anderton centre2
QQA Scheme Participant