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Key details
Award title
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE)
Awarding body
Falmouth University
Level
7
Duration
30 weeks
Mode of study
Online, part-time
Total PGCHE course fee
£3,394
2 start dates per year
January and September
Next welcome week
Recruitment paused
Next start date
Recruitment paused
Application deadline
Recruitment paused
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE)
Introduction
Develop the expertise to support you within your role in both digital and face-to-face teaching and learning contexts.
Engage with your peers and scholarship and develop as a creative, confident, competent and committed practitioner, able to learn from both your own work and examples of best practice.
Benefit from our ‘learning by doing’ approach and discover through your own learning experience, what it’s like to learn and teach, both face-to-face and online.
The PGCHE has been designed in consultation with education professionals and external bodies for professional teaching and learning practice, such as the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
You will:
- Push the limits of your practice by trying new initiatives, and taking risks within a safe, supportive environment
- Become more confident in your practice and your ability to respond to the rapidly shifting HE sector and its growing emphasis on the student experience
- Benefit from studying alongside peers from different countries, disciplines and backgrounds, allowing you to interact with new perspectives
- Develop your ability to critically evaluate your practice in the light of pedagogical research, scholarship and policy
- Gain the confidence, knowledge and pedagogical fluency to be able to effectively explain your approach to colleagues, students and managers
- Gain the knowledge to be able to prepare applications for professional recognition from various professional bodies. E.g. a portfolio for Fellowship recognition (FHEA) from the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in the UK
- Gain an internationally-recognised qualification for teaching and learning in Higher Education.
Who is this PGCHE for?
As the sector places more and more emphasis on the student experience, effective teaching and learning practice is taking centre stage.
This creates a need for both academics and support staff that are confident and qualified in the teaching they deliver.
You may be:
- Starting a teaching career within Higher Education and wish to gain an award that is increasingly considered mandatory for applicants to jobs in the sector
- Moving into Higher Education from industry
- Relatively new to teaching at a university
- Inexperienced in e-learning and wishing to gain the knowledge and skills required to teach through blended and online approaches
- An experienced teacher looking for the time, space and support to reflect upon and evaluate your practice
- Working in a support/subsidiary role that's increasingly student facing, with elements of teaching
- Teaching in an institution outside the UK, looking to gain an internationally-recognised qualification.
What makes this PGCHE stand out?
Hear from Course Leader Andy Peisley on the flexibility of the course:
Have a question?
Our Course Advisors can help. Contact us to discuss any aspect of the course, funding options, or how you'll study online:
Entry requirements
All applications are considered on an individual basis. You would normally be expected to hold an honours degree. Applicants with qualifications other than a first degree, and those without formal qualifications or accreditation but with substantial, relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply.
As part of the application process you will be asked to submit a description of your prior experience, motivations for studying the course and how you believe it will develop your career aspirations.
Within your application you will be expected to demonstrate sufficient previous and current practice in supporting student learning in Higher Education (HE). As a guideline, we expect applicants to be actively engaged in supporting student learning in HE for a minimum of 50 hours over the course’s duration, and be able to evidence this.
If your first language is not English, you'll need to take one of the following tests to verify your proficiency:
- IELTS - minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
- TOEFL iBT (online test) - minimum of 88 overall and at least 21 in all 4 components
- LanguageCert (online test) - a High Pass from the ESOL B2 Communicator test in reading, writing, speaking and listening (2 parts)
We accept a number of additional English language qualifications as well.
Candidates without a degree or formal qualification are also encouraged to apply. If you have prior learning or experience with this subject, you may even be able to apply for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). You can learn more about this via our APL guide.
For more information on course requirements, including advice regarding your eligibility, please get in touch via the form at the end of this page.
Course details
What you’ll learn
Investigate current theories, concepts and practices within higher education, and explore and develop the ways you can support student learning in a variety of different learning environments.
Course structure
You will need to complete two 30-credit modules (60 credits in total). Both modules are compulsory and must be passed to complete the award.
Please note the module orders are subject to change.
Module one
Supporting Student Learning (30 credits)
Reflect on and develop different areas of your practice in teaching and/or supporting learning in Higher Education (HE).
Investigate and apply a range of theories, concepts and practices of planning teaching, learning and assessment that are current in HE.
Be introduced to key areas of activity, knowledge and professional values commonly viewed as important (e.g. by professional recognition bodies such as the UK HEA) for practitioners working to support student learning in HE.
Through online and offline activities, learning-by-doing, preparatory readings and reflective discussion, share your experience in supporting student learning.
Demonstrate your understanding of pedagogy in your own teaching context, incorporating perspectives from sector and subject scholarship into your evaluation and development of your practice.
Module two
Developing Flexible Learning Environments (30 credits)
Further explore and develop the ways in which you can support student learning, especially via online and a mixture of blended learning environments.
Learn from your peers and share your practice and experience of supporting learning in different environments. Discuss the relative advantages and challenges for learning offered by these.
Engage with and apply pedagogical learning theory and scholarship to your reflection on and development of your practice.
Engage with the design, implementation and evaluation of use of technology to enhance learning as part of a blended or online learning approach.
Engage in reflective discussion and generation of strategies for curriculum design for supporting flexible, inclusive learning in online and/or blended learning environments.
Evaluate and critically reflect on your practice and learning to inform your continuing professional development.
Want to learn more about any of the modules?
Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.
Supporting Student Learning (30 credits)
Reflect on and develop different areas of your practice in teaching and/or supporting learning in Higher Education (HE).
Investigate and apply a range of theories, concepts and practices of planning teaching, learning and assessment that are current in HE.
Be introduced to key areas of activity, knowledge and professional values commonly viewed as important (e.g. by professional recognition bodies such as the UK HEA) for practitioners working to support student learning in HE.
Through online and offline activities, learning-by-doing, preparatory readings and reflective discussion, share your experience in supporting student learning.
Demonstrate your understanding of pedagogy in your own teaching context, incorporating perspectives from sector and subject scholarship into your evaluation and development of your practice.
Developing Flexible Learning Environments (30 credits)
Further explore and develop the ways in which you can support student learning, especially via online and a mixture of blended learning environments.
Learn from your peers and share your practice and experience of supporting learning in different environments. Discuss the relative advantages and challenges for learning offered by these.
Engage with and apply pedagogical learning theory and scholarship to your reflection on and development of your practice.
Engage with the design, implementation and evaluation of use of technology to enhance learning as part of a blended or online learning approach.
Engage in reflective discussion and generation of strategies for curriculum design for supporting flexible, inclusive learning in online and/or blended learning environments.
Evaluate and critically reflect on your practice and learning to inform your continuing professional development.
Want to learn more about any of the modules?
Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.
How you'll learn
With Falmouth Flexible, you access your course content, interactions with other students and tutors, and learning resources, through Canvas, an easy-to-use online platform.
You can access the course wherever you are in the world, and you can stop, pause and rewind lectures whenever you want.
Engaging learning activities will help you apply theory to practice. They could include:
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Online presentations to introduce key concepts
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Guided online E-seminars, forums, discussions and activities to facilitate interaction and dialogue
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Self/ peer and tutor feedback and evaluation on teaching and learning practice
-
Independent study and ongoing engagement with pedagogical theory and research to develop your practice
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Practical assignments, for example a micro-teaching session and the development and use of an online learning resource.
All assessments are taken and submitted online.
You will be assessed through written coursework and practical activities, such as:
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Work-based assignments that are grounded in your current teaching and learning practice where you apply pedagogical scholarship and best practice to develop it
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Written assessments where you design and critically evaluate your curriculum
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Practical assessments where you plan, deliver, and evaluate learning activities with your learners, in both face-to-face and online/blended learning contexts.
As one of our students, you’ll have access to a range of services designed to support your studies and make your time with us as enjoyable as possible.
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Falmouth’s comprehensive online library of books, journals, and resources
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A Student Advisor team to answer non-academic queries
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Online software tutorials via LinkedIn Learning
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The Students' Union community
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Career advice, CV creation, practice interviews, and more via our careers platform
Teaching team
You will be taught by academics who are experts in their field and have access to leading industry professionals.
"What I really liked was the interaction with your peers. We had regular forums that we all contributed to and I made friends in the same way that I would have done on a traditional course."
Ben Atkinson-Foster, PGCHE
“I’ve put a number of practices into place and it’s made a massive difference in terms of my teaching and the experience of my students. The blended learning module taught me how to create my own e-lectures and use the flip classroom approach.”
Lucy Cokes, PGCHE
Video intro to the course
Meet the course team and find out more about the PGCHE:
Face-to-face events
Up to twice a year*, you’ll have the optional opportunity to meet your classmates and tutors in person. Dates and location of the events will vary. Events usually incorporate a weekend to accommodate busy schedules.
Previous events have included Agile on the Beach in Falmouth.
This event encouraged students from the courses MA Advertising Strategy & Planning, MA Creative App Development, MA Creative Events Management and Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education to join their peers in collaborative projects, workshops and live-streamed talks by professionals from the Agile on the Beach conference.
Find out more about face-to-face events on our student experience page.
*Please note that given the variability in participant numbers and the specific nature of planned events, it may not always be possible to organise them for every course every year.
How to apply
Before you apply
This course is not currently recruiting.
Visit our Application process page for detailed information on how to apply.
Should you require assistance with your application, don't hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable course advisors. They are dedicated to guiding you through the application process, ensuring you submit the strongest possible application for your course admission.
Application steps
- Submit an online application form
- Submit a copy of your first degree certificate or Level 6 equivalent qualification and your IELTS/TOEFL certificate if English is not your first language and we have requested proof of proficiency.
Late applications may be considered if places are available.
Fees, costs & funding
Fees
Total course fee
£3,295 (including £250 acceptance fee)
Payment options
- One-off payment
- Two equal instalments
The first payment is due at the start of the course and the final payment is due one week before the second module begins.
Payment methods
Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1326 332 125 to speak to a course advisor.
Typical course costs
You’ll require a desktop/laptop. This machine should have a minimum operating system of Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.15, at least 8GB of RAM, and an i7 processor.
We recommend a 15” screen, with a minimum of 256GB hard drive space. It will also need to be capable of running our virtual learning environment.
Funding options
Application offers
We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.
Please note the PGCHE is not eligible for UK Student Loan Company funding.
For more information, please call us on +44 (0)1326 332 125 to speak to a course advisor.
Total course fee
£3,295 (including £250 acceptance fee)
Payment options
- One-off payment
- Two equal instalments
The first payment is due at the start of the course and the final payment is due one week before the second module begins.
Payment methods
Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1326 332 125 to speak to a course advisor.
You’ll require a desktop/laptop. This machine should have a minimum operating system of Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.15, at least 8GB of RAM, and an i7 processor.
We recommend a 15” screen, with a minimum of 256GB hard drive space. It will also need to be capable of running our virtual learning environment.
Application offers
We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.
Please note the PGCHE is not eligible for UK Student Loan Company funding.
For more information, please call us on +44 (0)1326 332 125 to speak to a course advisor.
Hear from a graduate
What's it like to study on the course?
Ben Atkinson-Foster talks about his experience on the PGCHE course in our video.
Ready to learn on your terms?
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Students agreed staff made the subject interesting
90%
Students agreed staff made the subject interesting
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