Why choose this course?

Ideal for early career academic and support staff or experienced staff looking to update their practice, this course provides the primary source for continuing professional development at the University of Wolverhampton. Learning, teaching and assessment are placed into focus, mindful of practical working needs in teaching and supporting roles. You will develop your classroom practice – including e-learning – within a framework of current andragogical theory, enhancing your employability in Higher Education fields.

Also available to external candidates practicing in either higher or professional education environments, the programme employs a flipped learning approach, offering dynamic face-to-face peer and tutor-led activities in tandem with a rich online learning environment, working to facilitate individual reflection, reading and scholarship. Completion of the course will result in a valid, recognised qualification in higher education practices, as well as a pathway for recognition at either Associate/Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a qualification allied to professional status with the national body for higher education practitioners.

The Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Education (PGCAP) is the main source of continuing professional development for early career academics and staff that support learning and teaching at and with the University of Wolverhampton, or for experienced members of staff who wish to update their practice and align with current thinking. The programme is accredited to award either Associate or Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (AFHEA or FHEA) providing a recognised qualification that is allied to professional status with the national body for higher education practitioners. (*candidates who are aligned with the university but not employed by them may have to pay an additional one-off fee for the professional recognition, you will be offered advice on application).

A key aspect of this course is your membership of a learning community, facilitating learning through the sharing of practice with your peers and course tutors. This takes the form of critical dialogue (debate and discussion), observation of teaching and engagement in online and face-to-face activities. This course also adopts a flipped learning approach where the face-to-face days are dynamic peer and tutor lead activities.

These days are supported with a rich online environment aimed at supporting collaborative working and facilitating individual reflection, reading and scholarship. You will be expected to work with tutors and peers outside of the face-to-face days in the online environment.

The course showcases through its own design how learning, teaching and assessment can be accessible and inclusive.

Assessment Methods

At the University of Wolverhampton, a variety of modes of assessment will be used to support and test your learning and progress and to help you develop capabilities that are valued beyond your University studies and into your working life. Your course may include a variety of assessment activities:

Written examinations (including online examinations, open and closed book examinations and quizzes) Coursework (for example, essays, reports, portfolios, project proposals and briefs, CVs, poster presentation) Practical (for example, oral and video presentations, laboratory work, performances, practical skills assessment) In the final year of your undergraduate degree, and at the end of your postgraduate degree, you are likely to be expected to write an extended piece of work or research, such as a dissertation or a practice-based piece of research.