Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PG CHEP)
The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PG CHEP), Fellowship route, is a qualification for employees involved in teaching and/or learning activity who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and expertise in academic practice. The programme has two modules; SD901 and SD902 (details below).
Those successfully completing Module SD901 will also gain Fellowship of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy) at Descriptor 2 (FHEA).
Who it is for
The PG CHEP is available to employees engaged in regular teaching and/or learning support activity throughout both modules and is typically undertaken by employees with less than three years' of full-time teaching and learning experience. Employees with more experience than this are still very welcome to join the programme. Fees are waived for employees who provide teaching and learning support at Essex. Limited places are also available for teaching and learning employees at our strategic partner institutions - please check with your institution.
If you are already a Fellow of Advance HE you may be eligible to proceed directly to Module SD902 with a fast-track application (please contact PGCHEP@essex.ac.uk for details).
Employees with substantial prior experience, who are not Fellows of Advance HE should consider gaining Fellowship via the CADENZA Direct Entry Application route and then progress directly onto Module SD902 with a fast-track application.
How long it takes
The standard route for both modules is to register in October and complete the following June, so the whole programme is taken over two academic years. We aim to be flexible and each module may also be spread over two academic years if required.
PG CHEP structure
The qualification comprises two Level 7 30-credit modules. Module SD901 leads to Fellowship of Advance HE. Subsequent completion of Module SD902 leads to the awarding of the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice, accompanied by a Graduation ceremony.
Module SD901 Introduction to Higher Education Practice
What it involves
You will produce coursework which includes:
- a developmental goal planning exercise
- a Reflective Account of Practice around your engagement with continuing professional development activities and with the Professional Standards Framework Areas of Activity within your day-to-day practice
- a work-based assignment to explore relevant pedagogic literature and connections with your own practice.
You will attend a welcome event and two PG CHEP support events, themed around upcoming submissions.
The benefits
PG CHEP is a lively, supportive and enabling route to gain Fellowship status of Advance HE. It will provide you with the opportunity to:
- develop a critical awareness of learning and teaching principles and how these relate to effective teaching and supporting learning practices
- explore models, strategies and techniques to help you plan, deliver, manage and assess your students' learning
- record and reflect on your day-to-day practice, facilitating the acquisition of new skills and the development of existing expertise, and
- network with colleagues.
Gaining Fellowship of Advance HE can also:
- help you to gain access to funding opportunities
- be used as evidence of your department's commitment to excellence in education, and
- produce sound evidence of your teaching expertise that can be included in the annual staffing review, or applications for permanency and promotion.
Module SD902 Developing Practice in Higher Education
What it involves
In this module, you will produce a practice-based case study submitted as a conference poster and continue to maintain your professional development records through an updated Reflective Account of Practice.
You will attend education development networking events, PG CHEP support events and professional development workshops. You will also be offered individual and peer-group tutorials with the PG CHEP team.
The benefits
Module SD902 leads to a postgraduate qualification in Higher Education practice that is recognised across the sector. By focusing on a substantial practice-based project, it allows you to work to develop advanced strategies and resources of use to you, your students, your department and the institution. It will produce sound evidence of your commitment to excellence in education and prepare you for further leadership activities and recognition in the area of learning and teaching.
Support
Throughout the programme you will be supported in several ways, including:
- Members of the PG CHEP team who will provide individual and small group tutorials and feedback on your assignments
- A varied programme of relevant professional development and education events (plus resources)
- A dedicated Moodle site for access to information and networking opportunities.
