Triangle

Course overview

Are you currently involved in teaching or supporting learning in higher education? Would you like to enhance your practice and gain a better understanding of teaching, learning and assessment in higher education in a global context?

The PGCert Higher Education Global is a professional programme designed for university teachers as well as others who support learning. This includes technicians, learning technologists, academic and information skills support professionals, IT staff, research staff and recently graduated postgraduate research students.

The course aims to develop you as a critically reflective practitioner who engages in ongoing development of your teaching, learning and assessment practices in higher education, informed by theory and practice.

You will gain a global perspective of higher education through cross-disciplinary interactions with peers, engagement with a range of literature and critique of policies and professional practices.

We have an engaged teaching team that is committed in supporting professionals involved in teaching and supporting learning in higher education institutions across the globe to thrive in their professional practice.

Please read our student profiles for their experience of the course and how it has helped with their professional development.

We welcome approaches from educational organisations who may wish to develop a bespoke programme for staff working towards the PGCHE Global.

The University of Nottingham runs a successful internal PGCHE course for staff across its three campuses, China, Malaysia and the UK. If you are University of Nottingham teaching-related staff required to complete a PGCHE, please visit the information for internal staff.

Why choose this course?

Study fully online

Learn in an interactive digital learning environment and study when it suits you

Experienced teachers

Taught by teacher educators, passionate about professional development

Top 50

in the world for education

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

Over 100 years

of experience in the field of education

Course content

The taught element of this course is made up of three 20-credit modules. Modules will run consecutively for approximately 14 weeks each (including assessment submission).

You will begin the course with an online induction, attendance at this is compulsory.

There are two parts to the induction. 

  • Induction 1: 1 February 2025 (9.30am-12 noon UK time)
  • Induction 2: 8 February 2025 (9.30-12 noon UK time)

You will spend time in our immersive digital environment for the induction over two weekends, with further support available at key points throughout the programme.

The induction event takes into consideration both the difficulties of asking you to spend two sessions online in real time and our desire to ensure that you get everything you need to begin the course with confidence.

Course leader

Denise Sweeney (please contact for any academic queries)

Modules

Core modules

Teaching and Supporting Learning

This module focuses on ensuring that you understand the context within which you are working and are able to plan and teach appropriate learning activities and support students effectively. The module starts with a focus on your own teaching and learning philosophy, role and context and explores the notion of a reflective practitioner. The focus then switches to your learners and explores theories of how learners learn. This is followed by a focus on planning and teaching learning activities and developing effective learning environments.

Course Design

This module entails reviewing and evaluating higher education course design from an enhancement perspective. This module builds on ‘Module 1: Teaching and Supporting Learning’ to allow you to examine deeper your current teaching context and undertake a review of learning experiences and assessment task design of a course/programme you teach or are planning to teach. This will vary depending on your context.

You will engage in a scholarly process of course design review and evaluation that combines exploring and reflecting on theoretical frameworks, current influences on course design, and quality assurance and enhancement frameworks.

Educational Inquiry

This module entails a demonstration of scholarship within the field of supporting teaching and learning in higher education. Building on previous modules, this module allows you to undertake a form of inquiry making full use of the knowledge and understanding already gained. Created to be responsive to your individual context and interests, you will be able to select a specific pathway or strand of activity that allows you to explore an aspect of your practice in depth. This could include developing an account of professional practice and directly apply for Fellowship with the Advance HE, or developing a learning and teaching resource plan or developing a research proposal.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Wednesday 21 August 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

After you have completed the induction session, you will commence the web-based study component of the course. This will take place in our dedicated virtual learning environment (VLE) including online course materials, learning resources and regular tutorial support.

Our course provides an interactive learning experience and allows you to study at your own pace. You will be encouraged to interact with other students, and each module will involve group activities such as using discussion boards and online collaboration software.

To ensure you have the appropriate computer requirements to enable you to study, please view our computer specification guidance notes (PDF)

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework

Each module will be assessed by coursework and a range of methods are used, including written reports (no more than 4,000 words), oral recordings and written proposals. You must achieve a pass of 50% on each assignment.

Contact time and study hours

Each module requires the equivalent of 200 learning hours.

In modules 1 and 2 this will include approximately:

  • 60 hours of directed online learning activities
  • 90 hours preparation for formative and summative assessments
  • 40 hours independent study

In module 3 this will include approximately:

  • 20 hours of directed online learning activities
  • 100 hours preparation for formative and summative assessments
  • 70 hours independent study 

The remaining 10 hours of time for each module is allocated to the induction event. Consequently, most students should aim to spend around 14 hours per week on study.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:2 (or international equivalent)
Work experience

Applicants should hold an approved first degree with at least second-class honours (or equivalent) and involved in teaching and/or supporting learning at a higher education institution. Alternative qualifications and work experience are considered.

Applying

 

Start date Application deadline
2 January 2025 30 November 2024

 

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply
Distance learning

Where you will learn

Distance learning

Distance learning is designed to be flexible, so you can choose where and when you study. This allows you to fit your course around work or other commitments and study at your own pace.

Our online teaching is an interactive learning experience. You will receive support from your dedicated tutor, who will guide you through your studies and answer any questions.

Fees

Qualification PG Cert
Home / UK £4,900
International £4,900

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, we do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies, which you would need to factor into your budget.

Funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

Career destinations for School of Education graduates include education advisers, language tutors, primary/secondary teachers, vocational/industrial trainers and instructors and those working in the caring professions including counsellors.

A number of our graduates are already in employment while undertaking part-time study for professional development in their chosen career.

Career progression

95.2% of postgraduates from the School of Education secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £28,108.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21 data published in 2023. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates
" It is a real privilege to join a global community of learners from different parts of the world who are engaged in exploring issues and challenges in teaching and supporting learning in higher education. Our course serves as a powerful platform for a diverse set of professional practitioners who bring with them rich experiences and expertise to develop their own practice and shape the future of their higher education contexts. "
Dr Denise Sweeney, Course Leader

This content was last updated on Wednesday 21 August 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.