The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE), alternatively called the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), is a British teaching qualification for
university lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank within many universities, though the meaning of the term varies somewhat from country to country. It generally denotes an academic expert who is hired to teach on a full- or part-time basis. They may also conduct res ...
s and similar professionals.
The PGCHE is designed to equip holders with the skills needed to provide high-quality teaching and learning. PGCHE courses are usually closely aligned with the
Higher Education Academy
Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) is a British charity and professional membership scheme promoting excellence in higher education. It advocates evidence-based teaching methods and awards fellowships as professional recogniti ...
's Professional Standards Framework (
UKPSF
The UKPSF ( United Kingdom Paintball Sports Federation) is a United Kingdom voluntary body that exists to promote the sport of paintball, liaise with government bodies, local authorities and try to make the game of paintball safe and fun to play. ...
), with successful completion of an HEA-accredited postgraduate certificate leading to formal professional recognition as an
HEA fellow (FHEA).
The PGCHE, like most UK
postgraduate certificates, is an advanced postgraduate qualification, taught and assessed at the level of a UK
master's-degree. The certificate is typically made up of 60 credits (1/3 of a full academic year), compared to the 180 credits (full academic year) required for a full
MEd or
MA degree.
The duration of the programme for new, full-time members of staff is generally up to two years. PGCHE courses do not in themselves equip holders with knowledge of their specialist subject areas,
and a university teacher will also have an appropriate educational and experiential background, typically including a
PhD PHD or PhD may refer to:
* Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), an academic qualification
Entertainment
* '' PhD: Phantasy Degree'', a Korean comic series
* ''Piled Higher and Deeper'', a web comic
* Ph.D. (band), a 1980s British group
** Ph.D. (Ph.D. albu ...
.
The PGCHE began to become widespread after the
Dearing Report
The Dearing Report, formally known as the reports of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, is a series of major reports into the future of Higher Education in the United Kingdom, published in 1997. The report was commissioned by ...
recommended that all university teachers should achieve an appropriate level of professional recognition during the initial stages of their career.
The names PGCHE and PGCAP are used by the
Higher Education Academy
Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) is a British charity and professional membership scheme promoting excellence in higher education. It advocates evidence-based teaching methods and awards fellowships as professional recogniti ...
but there are variations: several UK universities offer the 'Postgraduate Certificates in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education' or variations on the theme. Course content and learning outcomes can vary in detail, though alignment with
UKPSF
The UKPSF ( United Kingdom Paintball Sports Federation) is a United Kingdom voluntary body that exists to promote the sport of paintball, liaise with government bodies, local authorities and try to make the game of paintball safe and fun to play. ...
and accreditation by the
Higher Education Academy
Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) is a British charity and professional membership scheme promoting excellence in higher education. It advocates evidence-based teaching methods and awards fellowships as professional recogniti ...
are common themes.
See also
*
UK Professional Standards Framework (higher education)
Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) is a British charity and professional membership scheme promoting excellence in higher education. It advocates evidence-based teaching methods and awards fellowships as professional recogniti ...
*
Higher Education Academy
Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) is a British charity and professional membership scheme promoting excellence in higher education. It advocates evidence-based teaching methods and awards fellowships as professional recogniti ...
*
Dearing Report
The Dearing Report, formally known as the reports of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, is a series of major reports into the future of Higher Education in the United Kingdom, published in 1997. The report was commissioned by ...
*
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE/PGCertEd) is a one- or two-year higher education course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which provides training in order to allow graduates to become teachers within maintained schools. In ...
Notes
Further reading
*
Academia in the United Kingdom
Higher education qualifications in the United Kingdom
Higher education in the United Kingdom
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