Academic Practice (Postgraduate Certificate)

Improve your teaching practice by gaining a professional postgraduate qualification and get global professional recognition as a Fellow of Higher Education (FHEA) with this part-time, fully online Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice from the University of Liverpool. 

This unique PGCAP is delivered in collaboration with Advance HE – the UK’s foremost agency for driving excellence and developing leadership in education – and it is the first and only programme of its kind to be delivered solely online. 

The programme engages with international perspectives on academic practice in higher education. You will be encouraged to cultivate reflective and reflexive learning practices that will enhance your teaching and learning academic practice. You will also develop global professional networks and participate in advanced peer-to-peer learning which supplies opportunities to gain best practices from across the world. 

Is this the right course for you?  

This programme will support your understanding of the online learning environment and the Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF). The syllabus delves into theories and their practical applications to build on your existing skills within education. Each module will start with a ‘setting the scene’ unit to allow time and attention for investigating different interpretations and definitions of the topics you will explore.  

Through this programme, you will:  

• Gain an academic qualification and automatically receive professional recognition as a Fellow of Higher Education (FHEA). Our PGCAP is the only programme accredited by Advance HE to be delivered solely online.  
• Study a curriculum aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education (UKPSF). This is a globally recognised framework for benchmarking success within higher education teaching and learning support.  
• Take part in a collaborative and active learning approach. Participants will demonstrate their understanding of educational concepts, apply pedagogical theory from varied global perspectives to the classroom, and utilise international educational frameworks to design lessons, set assignments and decide on learning outcomes.  
• Gain a unique opportunity to reflect on teaching skills and develop practice. Participants will evaluate class presentations from their international peers, gaining an insight into practices across the world, and receive feedback on their own practices. 

Learn from industry experts.  

This course is run by The Leadership, Organisational, Professional & Academic Development Academy (The Academy) at the University of Liverpool. The Academy supports higher education professionals to develop their academic practise in relation to teaching and learning, as well as enhance their skills in research, leadership, and management within the sector. 

Enhance your career opportunities. 

The global emphasis of this programme will be particularly helpful to individuals with an interest in transnational education and those looking to develop skills to effectively work with international colleagues and faculty.  

This programme offers you an accelerated and significant career benefit. You will gain an academic qualification as well as global professional recognition entitling you to use the postnominal letters: FHEA (Fellow of the Higher Education Academy).  

Fellowship is increasingly sought by the sector in the UK, as a condition of appointment and promotion, and it is recognised by a growing number of international institutions. 

Download a prospectus for more details on the career support you will receive as a University of Liverpool student. 

Learn online anytime, anywhere. 

Get the University of Liverpool experience wherever you are in the world. This online course features interactive classes and regular contact with staff and fellow students across the globe. 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. Active learning is a key part of the programme structure, and you will be encouraged to employ international educational frameworks to design lessons, set assignments and choose learning outcomes that can be used in your own content or in an international global teaching space.  

Assessment is exclusively through online assignments rather than examinations. You will be assessed through a range of activities, including written assignments, discussion forum participation and journal entries.   

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.