The online Academic Practice programme is designed for applicants with limited or no experience teaching or supporting learning in higher education. Through this programme, students will develop their academic practice and build employability skills to enhance their teaching careers in higher education in the UK and around the world.
There are three study awards for the online Academic Practice programme – starting with the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) and progressing to the Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice (PGDAP) and full Master of Arts in Academic Practice (MA AP).
On the PGCAP award, students will develop their academic practice and build employability skills to enhance their teaching careers in higher education in the UK and around the world. Gaining a PGCAP that will provide you with the theory and practice of teaching and supporting learning in higher education in a global context.
The Postgraduate Diploma Academic Practice builds on learning from the PGCAP to further develop academic leadership, scholarship, and pedagogic research in preparation for progression to the MA AP which gives participants the opportunity to complete a supervised academic practice project.
Throughout the programme you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of academic teaching concepts, such as utilising international educational frameworks to design lessons and assignments as well as applying learning outcomes to your own context. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge by articulating pedagogical theories in the classroom. The extensively diverse cohort of international peers will provide you with a global outlook on higher education practices and allow you to interchange experiences across a variety of educational contexts.
Why study this subject?
This programme is for those who are interested in transactional education and in developing a toolkit to work with international students and faculty. Beyond the curriculum-specific knowledge, you will also become more proficient in communication, digital literacy, teaching and research, ultimately opening doors to many new professional opportunities.
Programme structure
Students are required to complete 60 credits to achieve the PGCAP, 120 credits to achieve the PGDAP and 180 credits to complete the MA AP.
PGCAP Award
- Foundational Approaches to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (15 credits)
- Contemporary Approaches to Teaching in a Global HE Context (15 credits)
- Designing Learning and Assessment in a Global HE Context (15 credits)
- Enhancing Academic Practice in a Global HE Context (15 credits) (Elective)
- Developing Your Career in a Global HE Context (15 credits) (Elective)
PGDAP and MA AP Awards
- Developing Academic Leadership (15 credits) – PGDAP and MA AP
- Developing Scholarship (15 credits) – PGDAP and MA AP
- Evidencing Academic Leadership (15 credits) – PGDAP and MA AP
- Pedagogic Research Design (15 credits) – PGDAP and MA AP
- Academic Practice Project (60 credits) – MA AP
Teaching methods and style
This programme is designed to be studied online and part-time. Teaching is delivered through our state-of-the-art Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which provides students with access to all resources required for interactive study online. On this platform, you will be encouraged to work collaboratively with classmates and actively read around your topic through our comprehensive library of eBooks and journals.
Programme modules, apart from the academic practice project, are delivered over an eight-week period with one module studied at a time. The student’s learning journey is facilitated by the use of written materials, lecturecasts (video presentations), interactive individual activities, case studies, and discussion boards.
Methods of assessment
Assessment is exclusively through online assignments rather than examinations. You will be assessed through a range of activities, including written assignments, presentations, discussion forum participation and journal entries.
Career destinations
Upon completion of the programme, you will gain initial training qualifications that are transferable to other HE institutions. You will have the opportunity to dive into learning, providing case studies and perspectives from their local contexts while creating a strong global active learning experience and a global network of contacts for all students. The expertise you will acquire by studying this online programme is directly applicable to a workplace.
Love what you've read so far?
Download a prospectus or visit our website for more information on this programme. Alternatively, you can contact one of our admission advisers to get your questions answered.
One of the best ways to see if the programme is right for you is to join one of our regular virtual events where you will be introduced to our range of online programmes, our online learning facilities, and Q&A’s with staff to help you make the best decision about the future of your education.
