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Course Leadership

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The Academic Development & Diversity Team support the role of Course Leadership and facilitate the sharing of best practice, case studies and secure the on-going support from colleagues supporting the course leader such as course teams and module leaders. This ensures the initiatives and resources are sustainable and continue to meets the needs of this group of academics.

Course Leader Development Programme

 

Principles of effective course leadership

The Hallam Principles of Effective Course Leadership (word document) were developed in collaboration with existing Course Leaders by identifying good practice and successful ways of working. These 10 principles are designed to provide a flexible, but consistent bench mark for Colleges to work towards, alongside the role outlines which aim to clarify expectations of the various course leader roles and provide a basis for discussions about succession planning and development needs of academic colleagues. 

Academic Work Planning (AWP) SP site: refer to the Academic Work Planning (AWP) allocation manual 2021-22 v3 (PDF) for course management allocations.   

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Course Leadership role outlines

Undergraduate and Postgraduate: Course Leader

Approved by the Shaping Futures and Building a Great University Pillars Boards, this role is a high level outline of the key responsibilities of a UG and PG course leader (word document). The context and precise activities may differ according to type, size and complexity of course.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeship: Course Leader (HDA)

Approved by the Shaping Futures and Building a Great University Pillars Boards, this role is a high level outline of the key responsibilities of an apprenticeship course leader (word document). The context and precise activities may differ according to type, size and complexity of course. For the purposes of this role outline the definition of the course team will include colleagues based in the employment setting.

This should therefore be read in conjunction with more detailed guidance available on Academic Essentials:

Interested in sharing your practice as an apprenticeship course leader?  The National Centre for Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships (NCEDA) – a community of practice for our ACL community. Further information about this group can be found on the Higher and Degree Apprenticeship website – NCEDA page (WP site).  If you want to get involved please drop a line into the HDA MS Team Channel.

Collaborative: Course Leader (CCL)

Approved by the Shaping Futures and Building a Great University Pillars Boards, this role outline is a high level description of the key responsibilities of a collaborative course leader (word document). The purpose of this role is to:

  • Develop and maintain a supportive and effective relationship with an approved collaborative partner organisation (PO).
  • Ensure the delivery of a quality student experience, compliant with the University’s quality assurance framework (WP site) and other relevant rules and regulations.
  • To act as an ambassador for the University whilst working with a collaborative PO.

The context of the various activities will differ according to type, size and complexity of course.  This should therefore be read in conjunction with more detailed guidance available on:

If you have any queries about the CCL role and the responsibilities/activities, please email Peter Grover, Head – Educational Partnerships & Skills, Business Engagement & Growth, Business Engagement, Skills & Employability (BESE). 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what I need to know?

I’m a new course leader – at the moment there is no structured induction so what top 5 tips can you give me within my first few weeks of the role?

What systems are in place for a course leader to access information about my course / modules and students?

I’d love to know who my poor attendees are without having to spend hours collating various registers – is there anything automated or best practice out there?

I’m wanting to become a Course Leader – what CPD would I need to progress?

If you’d like to share with your colleagues any burning Q&As, please email us through your examples to the Academic Development & Diversity inbox.

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Who are our Course Leaders?

All course leaders are allocated to their respective courses on Curriculum View. You can access and download a list of allocated course leaders from Curriculum View (SITS) via the university reporting page.  Guidance on how this list is updated can be found on Academic Essentials: Course and Module Delivery overview page – actions: course and module leaders. 

Resources

All guidance, information and support for designing and delivering an inclusive, accessible course(s) can be accessed through the university’s one-stop-shop,  Academic Essentials.

Resources from past events

Course Leader Fest

Collaborative

In September 2020, the Directorate of Global Development & Partnerships hosted a Collaborative Course Leaders Forum and here are a collection of videos highlighting the work and collaborations from colleagues across the university;

Case studies

Development activities

Induction

Development Programmes

Advance HE: Enhancing Programme Leadership is a virtual programme designed to develop the skills and capabilities of leaders of teaching and learning in their institution at a time when they may be new to leadership, or looking to gain confidence in their leadership skills.

 

 

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Last updated: 9th November 2022 NB