Various courses exist to prepare researchers for teaching and supporting learning in higher education (summarised in the table below).
The PGR teaching scheme augments the Teaching Skills for Doctoral Students (TSDS) course, providing a route to AdvanceHE Associate Fellowship. More details on routes for fellowship can be found here https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/talent/your-route-to-fellowship/
| Name | Target audience | Description | Link to further information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) teaching scheme | PGR students with a minimum of 15 hours teaching | Experiential route based on taught workshops, CPD sessions and own research and teaching practice | https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/talent/pgr-programme/ |
| University Teaching: Core Skills | Staff and students | Non-credit bearing. Online CPD that can be undertaken at any time to meet an identified development need or as a refresher for those with some teaching experience. Course content is mapped to Associate Fellow criteria. | https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/doctoralschool/training-and-development-2/online-training-resources-epigeum/ |
| University Advanced Professional Certificate (UAPC) - Introduction to Higher Education Practice | Academic (and professional services) staff with 15 hours in a teaching support role | Taught credit-bearing programme (leads to Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy status, AFHEA) | https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/talent/new-academic-staff-limited-teaching-role/ |
| Hallam Academic Award (HAA) | New members of academic staff who do not hold a teaching qualification in HE | Taught credit-bearing programme (leads to Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy status, FHEA). | https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/talent/new-academic-staff-hallam-academic-award/ |
Teaching Skills for Doctoral Students (TSDS)
This course runs as a standalone series but is also the entry route to the Postgraduate Researcher Teaching Scheme. This course is administered by the Doctoral School.
The sessions in the Teaching Skills course are:
1. Introduction to teaching in HE – Setting the scene; teaching at Sheffield Hallam University (Mandatory session)
2. Session planning and ‘delivery’ – How to plan effective sessions
3. Active Learning – introduction and exploration of active learning approaches
4. Personal approaches / theories – relating personal approaches to teaching with theoretical ideas
Students who successfully complete the TSDS course can then apply to join the Postgraduate Researcher Teaching Scheme (PGRTS)
The Postgraduate Researcher Teaching Scheme
The PGR Teaching Scheme consists of two elements. The first is the completion of the 4 TSDS modules followed by 5 Applied Practice sessions and a writing retreat.
The Applied Practice sessions are led by the TALENT professional recognition scheme:
1. Introduction – getting to know each other and introduction to the sessions, criteria and UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF)
2. Self-reflection through the autobiographical lens
3. Student/peer masterclass – reflection through both the students’ and colleagues’ view
4. Theories – reflection through the theoretical lens
5. Assessment literacy
6. Writing retreat (full day)
Successful completion of both the TSDS modules and PGRTS sessions is required to secure an award of Advance HE Associate Fellowship (AFHEA).
The TSDS course normally runs twice per year, with sessions in October and March (these dates are subject to change) and is followed by the PGRTS sessions. These sessions are offered dependent on demand.
Please complete the Google form to register your interest in being included in the next TSDS or PGRTS cohort. There are a limited number of places available on each TSDS cohort and the relevant Heads of Research Degrees (HORDs) will make a decision on who is eligible for a place.
If you have any questions, please contact doctoralschool@shu.ac.uk in the first instance. Academic queries will be forwarded to the relevant staff.
You can also access online learning for Teaching Skills via our Epigeum subscription. Further information can be found on our Online Training Resources page