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Higher and Professional Education

For HM Forces

Award

PgCert

Study option

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

September 2026

Apply now

100% Online Learning

Accessible and convenient learning with our online learning Education specialists

Study that works for busy professionals

Opportunity to explore education practice with educators outside the military, including university lecturers and public services trainers

Network with Professional Educators

This award is for lecturers/trainers delivering higher or professional education and is accredited by the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA)

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Professional Education is designed specifically for teachers and trainers in higher and professional education.

This award has been purposely designed for trainers and education related personal.

The overall aim of the PgCHPE award is to provide a framework for the initial and continuing professional development of teaching/training staff in higher and professional education. You will have the opportunity to share practice with educators from a broad range of sectors.

To make an initial enquiry about this programme, please contact the HM Forces team.

This November start, distance-learning course will be delivered online on Wednesday mornings.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgCert Higher and Professional Education

Course content

The overall aim of the PgCHPE is to provide a framework for the initial and continuing professional development of academic staff in higher and professional education. The PgCHPE is designed to encourage participants to critically evaluate their own approach to teaching within their discipline area, supporting student learning and contributing to development across their Higher Education Provider (HEP). The PgCHPE therefore aims to:

critically analyse research informed evidence to enhance their ability to plan, implement, evaluate and reflect on their professional practice;
support the development of academic professionals to facilitate teaching, learning, behaviour enhancement, assessment and use of feedback;
support academic professionals’ ability to contribute to curriculum development
develop their teaching and learning through working collaboratively with stakeholders;
engage in practitioner led research to improve professional practice in order to meet changing demands within the higher education environment and across their discipline.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by the Staff Educational Development Association for the purpose of professional recognition

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Teaching Learning And Assessment In Higher Education (Dl)	40 credits
Wider Professional Practice (Dl)	20 credits

Entry requirements

Single service or Defence-qualified instructors undertaking a job role which includes teaching and assessing learners, with a minimum of ten hours teaching per month and who can evidence by reference from Officer Commanding / Line Manager / Single-Service education officer or advisor.

In addition, should have any Level 5 qualification, or higher; OR have completed SNCO Army Leadership Development Programme (ALDP) / Command Leadership Management (CLM) / RAF Intermediate Management Leadership Course (IMLC) / Navy equivalent) as a minimum.

Fees

The total course fee is £2,745 and the course is listed on the ELCAS website.
The University is an Approved ELC Provider. Our Provider Code is: 1442.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Learning will take place through a combination of webinars, recorded lectures, collaborative learning activities, student-led presentations, workshops, work-based tasks and self-assessments and independent study.

Learners will be expected to use the online learning platforms provided to work on tasks collectively in order to promote active communities of practice and teamworking/leadership skills.

Assessment

This course utilises a variety of assessment approaches including reflective writing, a professional portfolio, formal presentation and a practitioner-led research report. Formative assessment such as constructive peer review of work and presentations is also used to facilitate social and cooperative learning.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs such as dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Staff

Please note, teaching team staff members may change during your studies.

Dr Duncan Hindmarch

Course Director

My enthusiasm for learning led me to qualify, design and deliver to initial and subject specialist teacher training courses. I have an interest in developing virtual learning environments to support learning.

Duncan's profile

Apply now to Higher and Professional Education

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	PgCert	Part-time, distance learning	21 September 2026	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.