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Development and Enhancement: PgCAP

Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgCAP) 

The University of Suffolk Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice responds to current sector agenda, including Access and Participation and the University's compassionate pedagogy, Block and Blend. It is open to any staff involved in the teaching and the support of students’ learning across the University of Suffolk and its partners. PgCAP is aligned to Descriptor 2 of the UKPSF, meaning that upon completion and achievement of all learning outcomes you will receive both the PgCAP and Fellowship of HEA (FHEA). The course is overseen by the School of Social Sciences and Humanities. 

 

Entry requirements

For members of staff, to be eligible for the programme we ask that you are leading, teaching on our supporting the teaching of modules at FHEQ Level 4 or above. For early career academics who are new to the University and have less than three years experience, completion of this programme may form part of your probation.

PhD students can enrol in module 1, Curriculum Design in Higher Education following the criteria outlined in the practice requirement section. Please note that to be eligible, PhD students must secure 20 hours of teaching in a UOS course (we cannot accept external teaching), between September 2025 and April 2026. 

 

Practice requirements

Please see the table below with a description of the practice requirements for the PgCAP

Participant Group

Module 1 _CDHE (D1) Requirements

Module 2 EIHE (D2) Requirements

PSF Dimensions Addressed

Postgraduate Research Students

- Complete a minimum of 20 hours of teaching activity, including at least 4 sessions (minimum 2 hours each).
- Deliver lectures, seminars, or assessment support tutorials.
- Evaluation through student feedback.
- One observation by PgCAP team.

- Not eligible for Module 2

Module 1:
A1, A2: Teaching and supporting learning
A4: Evaluating practice
K1, K2, K3: Pedagogical knowledge
V1, V3: Commitment to inclusive learning environments

Professional Services Staff

- Complete a minimum of 20 hours of practice, including at least 5 workshops (1.5 hours each, with 15+ participants).
- Evaluate workshops through student feedback.
- Formal observation of practice.

- Design, deliver, and evaluate a minimum of 5 CPD workshops (1.5 hours each) for at least 15 participants.
- Revision of workshops based on feedback to enhance professional learning.

Module 1:
A1, A2: Designing and delivering effective learning
A4: Evaluating practice
K1, K2, K3: Pedagogical knowledge
V1, V3: Inclusive learning environments
Module 2:
A3: Assessment and feedback
A5: Continuing professional development (CPD)
K4: Contextual knowledge
K5: Understanding evidence-based practices
V2: Collaborative approaches to professional learning
V4: Contribution to institutional learning
V5: Sustainable educational practices

Academic Staff

- Involvement in planning and delivering a credit-bearing module.
- Collection of student feedback via institutional evaluation.
- Formal observation of teaching.

- Demonstrate sustained involvement in module or programme delivery, including assessment and curriculum evaluation.
- Engage in scholarly, inclusive pedagogical innovation.
- Evidence of appropriate assessment, feedback strategies, and contextual understanding.

Module 1:
A1, A2: Teaching and supporting learning
A4: Evaluating practice
K1, K2, K3: Pedagogical knowledge
V1, V3: Ethical and inclusive learning environments
Module 2:
A3: Assessment and feedback
A5: Pedagogical innovation
K4: Institutional context
K5: Evidence-based practice
V2: Institutional and community-based learning approaches
V4: Contribution to institutional development
V5: Sustainable pedagogic practices

 

The course is held on campus, and sessions are delivered on Wednesdays 2-4 pm (please see the course schedule in the document section) .

Please note that attendance in person is compulsory,

You can see see further details in the Handbook and timetable below

 

How to enrol in this course

If you are a PhD student, you need to register your interest by filling the PGCAP MODULE 1 - INTEREST FORM FOR PhD Students once the form is closed (early July) the selected participants will be notified.

If you are a member of staff, you need to contact our course administrator Hellen Waller h.waller@uos.ac.uk  or Dr Javiera Atenas so we can send you the relevant enrolment information. Please note that if you have completed a staff development form or filled a PG online request, we cannot access these records, so please contact us directly

Course information

The PgCAP consist of two 30 credit modules at Level 7 (FHEQ). These are:

  1. Curriculum Design in Higher Education (CDHE)
  2. Evidence and Innovation in Higher Education (EIHE)

The programme is taught on Wednesdays 2-4 pm on Campus,  also includes peer review and enhancement of learning and teaching activity, and also, the completion of additional activity between study blocks such as

  1. Digipaths 1 and 2
  2. Personal Academic Coach
  3. Join a relevant academic or professional practice network
  4. Contribution to the annual Learning and Teaching conference.

The course leader is Dr Javiera Atenas. 

Course Guides