Program Overview

The University of Strathclyde offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Learning & Transformative Practice in Colleges (with TQFE). This program is designed to provide a student-centered, socially progressive, and research-informed journey to enable students to lead learning and transformative practice in colleges.

Key Facts

• Start date: September
• Accreditation: General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
• Application deadline: mid-August
• Study mode and duration: Online, part-time over 9 months or 21 months

Program Description

The program aims to provide a student-centered, socially progressive, and research-informed journey to enable students to lead learning and transformative practice in colleges. It encourages an active, questioning, and enquiring stance while placing sustainability and inclusivity at its core. The program models a transformative learning pedagogical approach for and with students.

Program Structure

The program is delivered online and uses a flipped learning approach. There is directed study to complete each week, comprising video clips, tasks, quizzes, reading, blogs, discussions, and collaborative work. Every second week, students will attend a 90-minute seminar with their tutor(s) and peers.

Modules

• Module 1 – Leading Learning in Colleges: This module aims to provide a space for students to examine factors that impact on learning, teaching, assessment, and student pathways.
• Module 2 – Transforming Practice through Enquiry: This module aims to enable students to plan and undertake professional enquiry that will promote social progressivism and sustainability, transform practice, and enhance the student experience.
• Module 3 – Achieving Professional Standards: This module will support students to independently interrogate and understand relevant professional standards in relation to their own work contexts.

Assessment

There are no traditional essays on this program; instead, an authentic assessment approach is employed.

• Module 1 is assessed by a case study constructed as a series of ‘patches’ over the duration of the module.
• Module 2 is assessed by a digital artefact (at level 9) or a presentation of the student’s enquiry at a showcase event (at level 11), accompanied by a written reflection.
• Module 3 is assessed by a portfolio of evidence presented and discussed at a professional viva.

Entry Requirements

• Entry to the Graduate Certificate (level 9): A relevant Higher National Diploma at SCQF level 8 (or equivalent) or Higher National Certificate at SCQF level 7* (or equivalent) when this is the highest level qualification available in a particular subject area.
• Entry into the Postgraduate Certificate (level 11): A relevant degree (at SCQF level 9 or 10) from an institution in the UK or a degree of an equivalent standard from a recognised institution outside of the UK.

Fees & Funding

• Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
• Annual revision of fees: Students on programs of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.
• 2025/26 fees:
  • Scotland: £1,800
  • England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £1,800
  • Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.

Careers

On completion of the program, students will be able to apply for registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (subject to meeting their registration criteria). The Graduate Certificate is subject to University approval.

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Degree Overview:

This program aims to provide a student-centered, socially-progressive, and research-informed journey to enable students to lead learning and transformative practice in colleges. It allows students to demonstrate achievement of the Professional Standards for Lecturers in Scotland’s Colleges and subsequently register as a College Lecturer with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The program models a transformative learning pedagogical approach for and with students. Students will have significant opportunities to collaborate with others from their own college, other colleges, and in subject groups. Students will engage in directed online activities on a weekly basis and every 2 weeks, will attend a 90-minute seminar with their tutors and peers. Authentic and work-based assessment approaches are employed and uniquely, includes written assignment, two observations of practice, digital presentation, and a professional viva (verbal examination) at the end of the programme. Students need to be employed within a college to be able to undertake 120 hours of teaching practice required by the Scottish Government to be awarded the TQFE. Uniquely, we offer students the option of undertaking this programme over 9 months to suit their personal and work commitments.

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Outline:

The program is designed to be undertaken over 9 months. All students will undertake a comprehensive induction at the beginning of the programme. Induction will include attendance at an online event and directed study on professionalism, the professional standards, study skills, critical reading, and writing. Early in the programme, students will also undertake a comprehensive self-evaluation and audit against the professional standards to identify areas for development. Depending on the student’s prior experience, qualifications, and background, the audit and action plan will be a very personalized task to ensure the individual needs of each student are met. This research-informed programme has been designed in conjunction with colleges and other relevant stakeholders. Module 1 is assessed by a case study constructed as a series of ‘patches’ over the duration of the module. Module 3 is assessed by a portfolio of evidence presented and discussed at a professional viva. There will be significant opportunities for formative, peer, and self-assessment.

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Teaching:

The programme is delivered online and a flipped learning approach is used. There is directed study to complete each week comprising of video clips, tasks, quizzes, reading, blogs, discussions, and collaborative work. Every second week, students will attend a 90-minute seminar with their tutor(s) and peers. In 2024/25, seminars will take place on a Monday. Seminars will allow students to engage in discussion, collaborative work, peer instruction, presentations, Q+A, debates, problem solving, and quizzes. We will invite guests to engage with students. The Graduate Certificate is subject to University approval.

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Other:

The program is available at undergraduate level as a Graduate Certificate (level 9) or at postgraduate level as a Postgraduate Certificate (level 11).

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Overview:

• Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
• Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
• Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
• Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
• Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

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Student Life:

• Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
• 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
• Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
• Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
• Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
• Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
• Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
• Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
• Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
• Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
• Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center with a range of medical services
• Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
• Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
• Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
• Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation