The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) Career Track is a teaching qualification intended for those new or relatively new to university teaching. The course is taken part time and is designed to be combined with normal responsibilities as a lecturer or fellow. The LSE PGCertHE Career Track is accredited by the UK Higher Education Academy (HEA), which offers national and international recognition for the award.
The intention of the PGCertHE Career Track is that all graduates leave the course as confident and thoughtful teachers in their discipline. To achieve this, the course combines scholarly and practical approaches to disciplinary teaching, learning and assessment. This enables graduates to adapt to different higher education environments and respond to novel teaching and learning challenges as their career progresses. It is also a valuable addition to an academic CV, as it demonstrates extensive professional development as an academic teacher in a given social scientific discipline.
PGCertHE Career Track, Associate Level
The Associate Level programme is a requirement for new career track staff at LSE who do not hold an equivalent teacher development qualification and have fewer than three years' experience of teaching in higher education. It needs to be completed prior to Interim Review. A one year practice based programme, it requires participants to prepare a portfolio on their evolving teaching practice including:
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reflective pieces on the development of their teaching practice;
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short written tasks on effective disciplinary teaching and student learning;
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the development of new and revised course designs;
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two teaching observations.
To facilitate preparation of their portfolios, participants have the opportunity to attend regular workshops which explore different aspects of teaching and learning linked directly to the programme assignments as well as a range of other workshops offered as part of LSE's Academic Development Programme. Upon completion successful participants are eligible for HEA accreditation at the Associate Fellow level.
PGCertHE Career Track, Full Level
The Full Level programme is an optional course for career track lecturers and fellows at LSE interested in further developing their teaching practice and in exploring aspects of teaching and learning in greater depth. Complementing the Associate Level qualification, participants are required to complete:
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reflective pieces on the development of their teaching practice;
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two projects, one on assessment and feedback, and one an enquiry based research project on an aspect of education.
Participants have the opportunity to attend regular workshops which explore different aspects of teaching and learning linked directly to the programme assignments. They have regular one to one or group consultations with Teaching and Learning Centre departmental advisers and other participant members of academic staff. They can also attend workshops offered as part of LSE’s Academic Development Programme. Upon completion successful participants are eligible for HEA accreditation at the Fellow level.
Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellowships
Academic staff also have the opportunity to work towards full or senior fellowship of the HEA via the individual route with the support of members of the LSE Teaching and Learning Centre. Read more at the HEA Fellowships page.
How can I find out more?
Please contact Dr Claire Gordon - c.e.gordon@lse.ac.uk or Nicole Nathan - n.a.nathan@lse.ac.uk - in LSE's Teaching and Learning Centre for further information.
Is there a PGCertHE programme for GTAs?
Yes, LSE also runs a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education for GTAs, at both Associate and Full levels. Find out more at our Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education for GTAs page.