Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education PgCert



This course is for internal Edinburgh Napier staff only.

Overview

The PgCert TSL in HE programme is designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and professional practice. Focusing on learning, teaching, assessment for learning and scholarship, the programme has an applied focus to facilitate your development as a skilled, reflective practitioner in HE with an extensive knowledge base and professional network.

A fundamental aspect of this programme is cross-institutional collaboration where you learn in active engagement and co-construction with peers on the programme from across the university. Embedded within the learning and assessment on the programme’s modules are significant opportunities for your active engagement with peers as you critically engage with, evaluate, reflect upon and develop your practice.

In these ways the PgCert TSL in HE supports the Learning and Teaching Strategy 2020-2025’s objectives in developing the blended and online learning and digital skills of staff and enhancing the career development of staff while also providing the opportunity to achieve professional recognition of such practice in teaching and supporting learning.

Typical entry point to this course is in September. Please enquire for more information. 

Please note that the fees are waived for internal staff. 

two men sitting opposite each other by a table in an office, talking and looking at a laptop

Mode of Study:

Part-time

Duration:

18 months

Course details

If you are interested in taking this course please get in touch with the teaching team via pgcert@napier.ac.uk.

The PgCert Teaching & Supporting Learning in Higher Education (TSL in HE) is a dynamic, innovative programme designed to enable your applied, professional learning. It provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and professional practice with your peers at this stage of your career in Higher Education.

Focusing on learning and teaching, assessment for learning, and scholarship, the programme has an applied focus to facilitate your development throughout the programme in becoming a skilled, reflective practitioner in HE with an extensive knowledge base and professional network. 

A fundamental aspect of this programme is cross-institutional collaboration where you learn in active engagement and co-construction with peers on the programme from across the university. Embedded within the learning and assessment on the programme's modules are significant opportunities for your active engagement with peers as you critically engage with, evaluate and reflect upon your practice.

Our aim is that on completing the programme you have:

• a substantial self-awareness as a developing, reflective practitioner and educator
• a robust pedagogically-underpinned knowledge and understanding of supporting student learning, teaching, and assessment
• enhanced confidence within your practice in engaging with, evaluating and applying fundamental theoretical concepts and scholarship of learning and teaching to the benefit of students
• an appreciation of, and commitment to, collaborative practice-related discussion, enquiry and enhancement with colleagues, students, and cross-sector partners

This PgCert programme is intended for early career academics new to Edinburgh Napier University who have less that 3 years' experience teaching in Higher Education. Early career academics require a minimum of 6 hours of teaching per week to enrol on and undertake the programme due to its applied nature.

Modules

Introduction to Teaching & Supporting Learning in Higher Education (EDU11123) – Module One

This module is aimed at both academic and professional services staff and provides an introduction to learning, teaching and supporting learning in Higher Education (HE). Focusing on core aspects of learning, teaching and support for learning – in alignment with the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF) – the module will a) introduce you to key principles, theories and seminal literature relating to learning and teaching in HE; b) introduce you to working collaboratively within a cross-institutional community of peers; c) facilitate critical reflection, evaluation and development of your own practice; d) develop your understanding of and engagement with principles of inclusion and their implications for your practice, and e) engage you in critically evaluating a variety of modalities of and environments for learning, considering the implications for your own practice.

Developing as a Critical Educator (EDU11124) – Module Two

In this module you will continue the in-depth development of your knowledge and practice as an educator through critically exploring the module topics. In alignment with the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF), this module will enable you to explore in depth the key principles, theories, and concepts relating to learning and teaching in HE. Topics covered include a) learning design, b) curriculum design and development, c) quality assurance and quality enhancement, d) assessment for learning and principles of feedback. This module supports the further development of your pedagogical knowledge and reflective practice through critical engagement with these principles and concepts in relation to your own teaching context.

Being a Critically Reflective Educator (EDU11122) – Module Three

This module extends further your development as a skilled, reflective practitioner in teaching and/or supporting learning in higher education, in alignment with the Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF). It supports your ongoing practice and development as a pedagogical scholar and education communicator. The module explores what it means to engage with and contribute to pedagogical scholarship and introduces you to the breadth of methodologies available to you as a practice-based educational researcher. You will also explore and critically engage with a range of key topics, including (but not limited to), a) the broader, global contexts in which higher education operates including internationalisation of HE, b) equality, diversity and inclusion, c) widening participation, d) ethical teaching, e) student wellbeing and belonging, f) scholarship of teaching and learning, g) the key debates, initiatives and policies influencing learning and teaching, and h) the value of peer observation of teaching practice. Additionally, you will be introduced to other topics as introduced by your peers through their scholarship work.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    The Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF) is central to the programme and has been used to shape the focus of each of the three modules that you will study over the 18 months of the course if you are completing the programme. Module one runs over a single trimester beginning in September each year.

    Your learning will be supported by several means, including workshops (face to face and online) and a vibrant virtual learning space, populated to maximise meaningful engagement and facilitate a cross-disciplinary active learning experience that will enrich your knowledge and understanding.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     We recognise that students are central to the process of learning and assessment and acknowledge the importance of experiential learning and the social construction of knowledge. Due to this, we have designed formative and summative assessments where learning can be applied to your practice - providing opportunities for you to collaborate with peers and engage in authentic assessments relevant to your practice in teaching and supporting learning in HE.

ACCREDITED BY

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education?

The entry requirement for this course is current work experience in a teaching and/or supporting learning role in higher education with a minimum of 6 hours per week face to face contact with students. Experience must include design, delivery and assessment of undergraduate or postgraduate learning experiences. 

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission in Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the Postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test.  The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 with no individual component score of less than 6.0.  For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact pgadmissions@napier.ac.uk

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Please note that the fees are waived for internal staff.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2025/26 2026/27

Please contact the School for information on the fees for this course.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here