Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

By the end of the course apprentices will be able to: 

1. Plan and deliver teaching, curricula, assessment, and provide feedback to support effective students learning.
2. Deliver practical teaching within their workplace demonstrating appropriate teaching skills informed by advanced scholarship and awareness of quality assurance and quality enhancement issues.
3. Develop academic practice that integrates research and enterprise into subject specific learning and teaching activities.
4. Evaluate the impact of their teaching through engaging in critical reflection, evidence-based teaching practice and continuing professional development in relation to their discipline.
5. Demonstrate their commitment to: valuing professional attitudes, diversity and equality of opportunity, inclusivity and ethical practice.
6. Consider and develop the use of digital fluency in their practice.
7. Demonstrate a critical understanding of teaching and research in a variety of academic practice contexts and consider the implications of these for practice in HE (much of which is at, or informed by the forefront of their academic discipline). 

The course aligns with the Academic Professional Apprenticeship Standard and the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education to meet professional recognition criteria for Descriptor 2, Fellow, of the Higher Education Academy.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• Academic Professional Apprenticeship Standard
• UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
• 含羞草视频 Digital Strategy for Learning and Teaching

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, apprentices should be able to:

K1   Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the core elements of academic practice and subject-specific in HE context including teaching, digital fluency, research and enterprise, and the interconnections between them;

K2   Critically evaluate current research and theoretical underpinnings of learning and teaching, in general and in specific subject areas;

K3   Demonstrate self-reflection and originality in applying the professional values inherent in effective academic practice, including respect for individual learners, equality and diversity practices, ethical principles in research, widening participation;

K4   Debate the national and international context in which universities operate and the implications for academic and professional practice.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme apprentices should be able to:

C1     Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of teaching and subject specific knowledge at an academic level appropriate to the teaching carried out;

C2     Critically appraise teaching methods, assessment and feedback in their subject area and at different levels in academic programmes;

C3     Critically discuss how they may measure student progression and evaluation and ensure a holistic curriculum experience through their programme design;

C4     Make informed choices concerning the use and value of learning technologies within their academic programmes;

C5     Appraise the implications of quality assurance and quality enhancement for academic and professional practice on their student development.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, apprentices should be able to:

P1     Design, plan and evaluate learning activities and programmes of study appropriate to discipline, level of study and student cohort;

P2     Teach and support student learning effectively in their subject area, incorporating appropriate learning technologies;

P3     Design and conduct fair and valid assessments and provide effective feedback;

P4     Apply appropriate methods to evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching, and to devise and implement measures to enhance their practice;

P5     Ensure that teaching, research and enterprise are integrated beneficially within their academic practice.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, apprentices should be able to:

T1   Interact and communicate effectively with colleagues on academic matters, offering and receiving feedback in a professional and respectful manner;

T2   Enhance their practice through reflection on experience, using evidence-informed approaches and the outcomes from research, scholarship and continuing professional development;

T3   Display effective interpersonal skills including effective oral and written communication, listening, and networking skills;

T4   Incorporate new ideas and try different strategies, applying critical thinking and creativity to resolve problems and enhance practice.

4. Programme structure

 Compulsory Modules

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

The Level 7 Apprenticeship must contain an end-point assessment (EPA) within the final three months, which is carried out by an independent organisation to ensure all apprentices following the same standard are assessed consistently.  It is outlined that the EPA will provide the opportunity for apprentices to demonstrate critical understanding of HE learning, teaching and research in a variety of academic practice contexts through:

• the Academic Professional Practice Assessment (i.e. Teaching Observation);
• a Professional Conversation;
• a Written Submission. 

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

n/a