Higher Education Practice PG Cert
Foundation
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The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice is a part-time professional development programme for colleagues who teach or support learning in higher education. Designed to fit alongside your role, it helps you develop inclusive, evidence-informed practice while working towards professional recognition through Advance HE.
Grounded in real-world practice, the programme enables you to explore and enhance your own teaching, assessment, curriculum design or learning support activities. You’ll consider how students learn, how inclusive learning environments are created, and how assessment and feedback can help students engage, succeed and achieve their potential.
Aligned to the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) 2023, the programme consists of two modules: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and Curriculum and Assessment Design in Higher Education. Together, these modules support the development of effective teaching, curriculum design, assessment and feedback practices. Successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate supports a claim for Fellowship.
Teaching is delivered through a flexible HyFlex model, giving you the opportunity to learn either online or on campus. You’ll take part in taught sessions, peer observation, peer review and coaching-informed support, while benefiting from a collaborative learning community that brings together colleagues from the University and partner institutions.
Assessment is practice-based and completed through a structured portfolio for each module. This allows you to evidence your development, reflect on your practice and demonstrate your achievement against the PSF 2023.
By the end of the programme, you’ll have strengthened your professional practice, built confidence in your approach to teaching and learning, and contributed to Birmingham Newman’s commitment to inclusive education, academic excellence and student success.
Why Study This Course?
Develop your teaching and learning practice while working towards professional recognition through Advance HE Fellowship.
Designed for colleagues who teach or support learning in higher education, this part-time programme helps you build confidence in inclusive teaching, assessment and curriculum design. You'll apply your learning directly to your own professional practice, creating meaningful improvements that benefit your students and academic community.
Through flexible HyFlex learning, peer collaboration and coaching-informed support, you'll join a professional learning community committed to student success and academic excellence.
Aligned to the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) 2023, the programme provides a clear pathway to Advance HE Fellowship while supporting Birmingham Newman's commitment to inclusive, high-quality education.
Got a question you’d like to ask?
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all backgrounds and accept a wide range of qualifications. If yours aren’t listed, don’t worry – our Admissions Team can help you explore your options. See full entry requirements.
A relevant honours degree, 2:2 or above.
A relevant honours degree, normally at 2:2 or above. Applicants with other qualifications may be considered where they have relevant professional experience.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice is currently open to colleagues who teach and/or support learning at Birmingham Newman University or an approved partner institution. Participants must have access to sufficient higher education practice to support their learning on the course and will normally undertake at least 180 hours of relevant practice during the academic year.
If you are in receipt of overseas qualifications and have no evidence of UK study you may be required to demonstrate your English proficiency through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS.
The Admissions team will provide further details within your offer.
Please contact Admissions if you have any questions.
Course fees & funding
Fees
All fees are shown in GBP (£).
The tuition fee for the 2026/27 academic year is: £3,416.
Fees for the 2027/28 academic year can be found on our Student Finance pages and choosing your degree type.
Please note: If this course includes a Foundation Year, the fees shown above apply to the Foundation Year only. Fees for subsequent years will be charged at the standard undergraduate full-time fee.
Funding
Find out what funding and support might be available to you through Student Finance and Student Success.
Additional costs
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
Find out about extra costs, timetable details, and how course modules may change through additional course information.
Check out our blog/news/events
Teaching Excellence Powers Birmingham Newman Rise in Daily Mail University Rankings
Birmingham Newman University is the UK’s Number 1 university for teaching excellence, student experience and…
University shortlisted for national social mobility award
Birmingham Newman has been shortlisted for University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards…
Birmingham Newman University: the new UK leader for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey
Birmingham Newman is the Number 1 university in the UK for overall student positivity –…
Birmingham Newman Gains Prestigious Healthcare Chaplaincy Accreditation
Birmingham Newman University has become one of only seven higher education institutions to earn formal…
Birmingham Newman earns strong Ofsted praise following latest inspection of its initial teacher education
Birmingham Newman earns strong Ofsted praise following latest inspection of its initial teacher education Birmingham Newman University has been acclaimed for its strong standards in inclusion and…
Book an open day
Find out about our next open day. Book now to secure your place.
This programme supports career development by strengthening participants’ academic practice, supporting progression towards Advance HE professional recognition, and developing capability in learning, teaching, assessment, curriculum design and educational enhancement. Successful completion of the first module supports a claim for Associate Fellowship, while completion of the full Postgraduate Certificate supports a claim for Fellowship.
Accreditation – to be confirmed.
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