Could you become a National Teaching Fellow?
- Do you get lots of positive feedback from your students and/or colleagues?
- Have you had notable successes in your teaching practice?
- Do you influence your colleagues or your profession/discipline beyond SHU?
If you can show evidence of these things you may have a claim to excellence. This is a very competitive scheme but if you can show that your practice is outstanding, having transformational effects on your learners, you may be a candidate.
National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS)
The NTFS celebrates outstanding achievement in learning and teaching in Higher Education. A National Teaching Fellowship award carries the entitlement to use the post nominals ‘NTF’ and has significant prestige in the HE sector. Successful candidates are expected to engage in a number of promotional events as an ambassador of the scheme by supporting the on-going enhancement of learning and teaching. You would also join an active community of passionate and enthusiastic professionals working to enhance learning and teaching in HE.
The scheme is open to members of staff from all providers of higher education across the four nations of the UK. Please note that your context is taken into account regarding the range and scope of impact you can be expected to have, which means the award is open to those working in non-teaching academic and professional roles as well as those in academic roles.
As an eligible institution, Sheffield Hallam can nominate up to three individuals per year.
Applying to be an NTF:
A case is made for excellence focussed on three criteria:
- Individual excellence: How you are enhancing and transforming the student learning experience.
- Raising the profile of excellence: How you support colleagues and influence support for student learning and demonstrate impact and engagement beyond your immediate academic or professional role.
- Developing Excellence: The ways in which you engage in professional development activities and how these have impacted on how you teach and/or the students’ learning experience
Submission process for 2024
An in person briefing session will be held on Wednesday 5 July 2023, 1.00-2.30pm (City campus) for anyone interested in finding out more about the NTF award and submission process (please email talent@shu.ac.uk to book a place).
If you are interested in being selected by the University to submit for a National Teaching Fellowship in 2024 (or beyond), we ask that you complete an initial expression of interest outlining how you meet the criteria detailed above and what evidence you can call on in support of your application.
Please submit your expression of interest no later than Friday 15 September 2023 to talent@shu.ac.uk
Download the NTF 2024 Expression of Interest Form [Word doc]
Prior to completing your expression of interest, we recommend that you complete an NTF self-assessment form. This form should not be submitted, but is designed to help you to decide if you have a reasonable chance of being selected as a nominee and what further development and support you may need. Shortlisted candidates will be supported by a mentor.
The final date for submission by eligible institutions is expected to be in March 2024. This will be confirmed once we receive the relevant information from Advance HE.
Further information & resources
Advance HE website – National Teaching Fellowship
Advance HE – Insight into the award criteria (video series)
Advance HE – guidance for NTF applicants 2023
Meet our new 2022 National Teaching Fellows
Find out more about our Sheffield Hallam National Teaching Fellows [Links to Teaching Excellence website – opens in new window]
Sheffield Hallam University NTF Network (for current and aspiring NTFs)
My NTF Journey and ‘Adding sparkle so your NTF application shines’ – blog posts by Dr Dr Dawne Irving-Bell, Edge Hill University
Subscribe to the Association of NTFs blog (UK network – news, publications and events). A new Jiscmail group has also been established in partnership with Advance HE for NTFs and aspiring NTFs. The group will have an EDI focus to support HE providers in overcoming the challenges and barriers that aspiring NTFs may be facing. Sign up to the Jiscmail group.