Tab Content: Structure and Focus

Aims of the programme

It is important that teaching in Higher Education is of high quality in order to enable the increased number and diversity of students to learn effectively. The PGCEP programme aims to support your professional development in education practice in higher education by enhancing your understanding of curriculum, student learning, and teaching, with the ultimate objective of improving student education at Lancaster University and its partners.

The programme is the first part of your journey in developing expertise as an educator, with the ability to be flexible to changing contexts through a process of intentional learning and development through reflection. This will be achieved through a process of critical reflection on your educational practice, combined with evidence-informed exploration of key themes and issues.

Learning as a shared endeavour will be key to your development. You will be part of a professional learning community of colleagues, sharing practice and perspectives. This will facilitate the process of locating yourself within wider institutional and HE contexts, and will form part of your broader continuing professional development journey.

Programme structure

The programme comprises three 20 Master's level (level 7) credit modules, and an overarching qualificatory module to be studied part time over two years Figure 1 outlines the structure for the PGCEP. Module 1 runs throughout the duration of the programme, and modules 2-4 will each be delivered over a 10 week phase.

Module 1, The reflective educator runs alongside all the other modules and provides the backbone to help develop you as a critically reflective educator. Within this module you will explore the underpinning principles of the programme, including how you will work collaboratively in your peer learning set and the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) 2023. There will be opportunity to reflect on your developing learning and how it is aligned to the PSF 2023, with feedback from tutors to guide this. As a final integrative programme assessment, you will collaborate with your mentor to explore how your practice has developed throughout the programme and look to how you will continue this journey. This final assessment will provide the culmination of evidencing how your practice meets Descriptor 2 of the PSF 2023 and allow the award of Advance HE recognition.

The subsequent three modules run sequentially. Module 2, Developing Educational Practice (DEP) encourages you to develop a repertoire of educational practices and skills that include designing, implementing and critically evaluating teaching methods, learning resources and environments. This will help you enhance your practice in order that you can support effective learning and development for students in your department and discipline.

During Module 3, Curriculum Design and Development (CDD) you will explore curriculum design, to enable the development of inclusive and effective learning environments, to support effective learning and development for students in your department and discipline.  

The final module, Module 4, Assessment for Learning (AfL) aims to enhance your appreciation of the role of assessment and feedback in the learning process. As such, the module encourages you to critique the current assessment and feedback strategy in your context, and propose enhancements.

Please read our information on access statement and cancellation charges for this programme.

The Postgraduate Certificate of Educational Practice (PGCEP) is part of the provision offered by CEDA.

Tab Content: Learning and teaching strategy

The PGCEP comprises three 20 Master's level (level 7) credit modules, and an overarching qualificatory module to be studied part time over two years. Each module is delivered over a ten-week phase, taking into account closure days of Lancaster and its international partners. Module learning is divided into 2 week blocks. Each block comprises asynchronous online learning activities and readings, supplemented with synchronous discussion sessions. The synchronous sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, 10am-12noon, UK time. Colleagues will be asked to indicate their preference for which they attend on application. Please note, this choice is subject to demand, and you will only be able to attend the sessions for the cohort you are accepted for (i.e. you cannot swap between Tuesday and Thursday attendance).

2023/24 timetable

To help you plan your time, and ensure you are available to attend synchronous sessions, the draft timetable is included below. Dates for phases 3, 4 and 5 will be confirmed shortly. PGCEP 2023-24 Printable Timetable

Phase 1 (10 weeks)

6th October to 14th December 2023

Phase 2 (10 weeks - includes breaks to take into account local university closure days)

12th January to 1st February 2024
16th February to 21st March 2024
5th April to 18th April 2024

Module 1 formative assessment part 1 and Module 2 summative assessment due: 12 noon (UK time) 7th May 2024

Phase 3 (10 weeks)

October to December 2024

Module 1 formative assessment part 2 and Module 3 summative assessment due 2 weeks after last synchronous session

Phase 4 (10 weeks)

January - May 2025 (includes breaks to take into account local university closure days)

Module 1 formative assessment part 3 and Module 4 summative assessment due 2 weeks after last synchronous session

Phase 5 (10 weeks)

May - July 2025

Module 1 summative assessment due by the end of phase 5, July 2025

The Postgraduate Certificate of Educational Practice (PGCEP) is part of the provision offered by CEDA.

Tab Content: Eligibility

Places for the PGCEP programme are only available to colleagues employed by Lancaster University or teaching on Lancaster validated modules and programmes and are undertaking the full range of teaching and learning support activities as outlined in the PSF 2023. If your employment status changes during a module, you will be entitled to complete that module, subject to availability to attend any remaining teaching sessions. If you are no longer employed by Lancaster or teaching on Lancaster validated modules and programmes before the commencement of any subsequent module, you will not be able to participate on it.

Teaching responsibilities

To be able to demonstrate the requirements of the programme you must be undertaking the full range of teaching and learning support activities as outlined in the PSF 2023. A key aspect of the programme is applying the learning to your own teaching and learning support practice and so you need to be undertaking sufficient activities during the programme. The expected minimum is 120 hours teaching and teaching-related activities over the academic year. This covers the full range of activities, including designing and delivering teaching/learning support, assessing and providing feedback and personal tutor/supervision activities.

You will need to indicate on your application form the range of teaching and learning support activities you expect to undertake during the programme. You should discuss with the programme director if you feel you will not be able to meet the requirements of the programme and are unable to sufficiently provide evidence that your practice meets the requirements of D2 of the PSF 2023.

PGCEP departmental teaching mentor

A key support of your learning during the PGCEP is through your departmental teaching mentor. The mentor will provide an essential source of support and help you to contextualise your learning, both in terms of the discipline and local practice as well as in relation to the PSF 2023.

You are required to identify a mentor in your department prior to starting the programme, and provide details on your application form. The Mentor Handbook provides information to help you identify a suitable mentor and to help your mentor to understand the requirements of the role, so please do ensure your mentor has read this document.

PGCEP mentors are usually from the same department as the mentee. Mentors hold a variety of roles but must be involved in teaching and supporting learning and be enthusiastic about teaching and curriculum development. Your mentor does not need to be a very senior member of the department – a colleague with just a few more years’ experience than you is often just as helpful as they understand your situation. They need to share your interests and concerns about teaching in your discipline and need to be enthusiastic about teaching and curriculum development. PGCAP/PGCEP graduates often make very good mentors, as they are already familiar with the programme approach. Mentors need to share the mentees interests and concerns about teaching and understand the discipline context.

Mentors will engage in an online mentor induction course which provides an overview of the CEDA programmes, an understanding of the PSF 2023 and the requirements for recognition, and the role of a teaching mentor. Mentors will be invited to attend a mentor induction session (held online) to supplement the online induction and give opportunity to clarify the expectations and meet other mentors.

All mentors will be invited to an annual mentor development event. This will provide a forum for sharing good practice and for contributing to the evaluation and development of the CEDA programmes. This will also provide any updates about the programmes, requirements for Advance HE recognition and provide opportunity to further explore the PSF 2023.

Application for PGCEP

Application for PGCEP is now closed, please email us at CEDA to add your name to the list to be notified of our 2024/25 programme.

Please ensure you have read through the requirements of the PGCEP on this website, and are aware of the focus of the programme, amount of teaching required, proposed delivery model and attendance requirements, and the mentor role.

Please note, the PGCEP replaces the former PGCAP (PG Certificate of Academic Practice). This new programme has similar aims and outcomes to the PGCAP, with a different modular structure, delivery pattern and duration.

Please read our information on access statement and cancellation charges for this programme.

The Postgraduate Certificate of Educational Practice (PGCEP) is part of the provision offered by CEDA.

Tab Content: Frequently Asked Questions

‌Have a question? Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.