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PgC - Academic Practice

Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
The Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) is framed by the University of Cumbria's Learning, Teaching & Assessment Plan, including our signature pedagogy of place-based engaged learning, with core principles of innovation, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging. Throughout the programme, you will be guided to become a reflective, evidence-based practitioner. Successful completion of the PGCAP will result in the award of Fellowship of Advance HE.

The programme consists of two Master's level modules, each worth 30 credits. This flexible programme combines both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) content. You will enhance your academic practice by connecting research on learning and teaching to your own professional experiences. You will also situate your professional growth within the broader context of higher education, identifying yourself as a potential leader and agents of change.

To study this course you will need to provide a statement of support from your University of Cumbria line manager, this needs to include confirmation that you will be teaching for at least 70 hours over the duration of the programme.

Please use a personal email address to apply rather than your UoC email address.

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Course Overview

This course is available to University of Cumbria staff who teach and/or support learning and teaching. This is a work-based programme that draws on current teaching experience (you need to have a teaching / supporting learning commitment of at least 70 hours over the course of the programme) and is focussed on your continuing professional development.

Though comprising two modules, the programme is designed as an integrated learning experience, with preparation for PGCAP7002 developing across PGCAP7001 and rooted in learning and professional development within the first module. Personal tutorials will provide an important foundation for this integration. The learning, teaching and assessment approaches on the programme enable you to become part of a learning community, whereby you can learn from peers in different roles and disciplines.

The online delivery of the PGCAP enables flexibility and promotes access to synchronous sessions.

On this course you will...

Acquire a broad range of skills which can be applied in a range of settings, including effective use of digital learning systems and an in-depth knowledge of pedagogic approaches and current scholarship on learning and teaching.
Benefit from guest lectures from pedagogic experts drawn from across the University of Cumbria, demonstrating breadth and depth in the range of themes and case studies explored during the programme.
Develop into well-rounded academic practitioners who are well versed in the scholarship of learning and teaching whilst demonstrating effective pedagogic practices within the educational environment.
Exemplify our distinctive pedagogic practice at the University of Cumbria, as articulated within our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Plan.
Have the opportunity to progress to Fellowship of Advance HE (FHEA) once successful in your PGCAP.

Download our Prospectus

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
Course LocationOnline
Mode of DeliveryDistance Learning
Course Duration Part-time: 24 weeks
Course Start PointJanuary
September
AwardPgC
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAll

Minimum entry requirements

Honours degree 2:2 or above.

Honours degree

UK Tuition fees

Staff can apply for a fee waiver

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

The PGCAP is an online learning programme that uses a variety of teaching and learning methods and strategies to make your learning relevant, accessible and flexible. All learning activities are designed to be authentic and closely connected to your professional HE context. They are underpinned by an emphasis upon reflection and professional development. Though the programme is made up of two modules, they are closely related and you will begin to plan and develop your module-two project as you progress through your learning in module one.

You will benefit from a programme of guest lectures/seminars from pedagogic experts across the University, You are encouraged to interact with and learn from your peers, who bring with them a range of different teaching contexts and experiences. A range of synchronous and asynchronous interactions enables you to share practice and discuss key ideas with your peers and tutors. You also benefit from regular tutorials to enhance your development.

Year one

The learning is online and practice based through synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants undertaking the 1st module will take a reflective and critical approach to their professional practice within learning and teaching in Higher Education, aligned with the UoC Learning, Teaching & Assessment Plan.

Indicative content includes:
Professionalism and teaching philosophy
Teaching activities and approaches: engaging students in the learning process
Learning and teaching in a digital world
Authentic assessment and feedback
Inclusive learning
Effective student support

The 2nd module is grounded in the UoC’s learning and teaching model, situating this within the wider Higher Education context. The learning on the 2nd module is online and practice based through synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants will be challenged to engage with models of change and innovation in academic practice through a number of cross-cutting themes.

Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
This module introduces participants to current models of teaching and development as critical and reflective practitioners. The learning on this module is online and practice based through synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants will take a reflective and critical approach to their professional practice within learning and teaching in Higher Education, aligned with the UoC Learning, Teaching & Assessment Plan. The module will develop the participants' knowledge of scholarship in learning and teaching within the context of the UoC and enable them to take an evidence-based approach to their own effective practice.
Change and Innovation in Academic Practice
This module is grounded in the UoC’s learning and teaching model, situating this within the wider Higher Education context. The learning on this module is online and practice based through synchronous and asynchronous learning. Participants will be challenged to engage with models of change and innovation in academic practice through a number of cross-cutting themes.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Participants will be supported to evaluate their current practice and consider how they enhance this in their own contexts. They will be encouraged to develop their own professional networks and engage with a wide range of learning opportunities, internally and externally, creating a bespoke learning experience on the programme.

How you will be assessed

PGCAP7001: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Formative: formative assessment is integrated throughout the module. A variety of formative tasks will be undertaken and reflected on in a formative journal. The formative assessment includes a five-minute, in-class presentation outlining plans for the project in PGCAP7002.

Summative: Evidencing Professional Practice Portfolio - part one (100%, 3000 words)
Section one – two case studies (2 x 1000 words)
Section two – structured reflection and CPD (1000 words)

PGCAP7002: Change and Innovation in Academic Practice

Formative: formative assessment is integrated throughout the module. A variety of formative tasks will be undertaken and reflected on in a formative journal. The formative assessment includes a five-minute, in-class presentation of work in progress for the enhancing academic practice project.

Summative: Evidencing Professional Practice Portfolio - part two (100%, equivalent to 3000 words)
Section one - Enhancing academic practice project (2500 words)
Section two - Reflection on practice and CPD (5-minute pre-recorded presentation)
Section three – Authentication of practice. Record of teaching observation that evidences that practice is in line with the requirements of Fellowship.

Career Outcomes

What are the career outcomes for this course that we should be shouting about?
Upon completion of the PGCAP, participants will have acquired a broad set of skills applicable in various settings, including effective use of digital learning systems and an in-depth knowledge of pedagogic approaches and current scholarship on learning and teaching. Developmental observations ensure that participants apply effective teaching practices within the learning environment. Assessments are designed to facilitate real-world practice rather than serve merely as theoretical exercises. In this way, the PGCAP develops well-rounded academic practitioners who are well-versed in the scholarship of learning and teaching, while demonstrating effective pedagogic practices in educational settings. The conclusion of the PGCAP is seen as part of an ongoing process of professional development, rather than a defined endpoint.

Upon completion, participants are awarded the internationally recognised title of Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA), an increasingly sought-after qualification by employers. Some participants may also choose to continue their studies through an MA.

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Location
Online Learning
Online learning at the University of Cumbria is an interactive experience that makes use of a range of technologies and media types to provide a rich learning environment.
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PgC - Academic Practice