Academic Practice

The next pre-course induction day for this course will be December 2012 Why study with us?

The programme has been designed by staff experienced in academic practice who are active researchers in addition to their teaching role. We promote a flexible approach to learning and assessment in recognition that you will already have a busy working life.

Module HEPP 7003 is aligned to UK PSF standard 3 and you will gain professional recognition if you successfully undertake this module.

Education MA is an alternative route for those interested in pedagogic research.

What can this course lead to?

With an advanced knowledge of academic practice, you will be well placed for pursuing promoted posts in Higher Education Institutions. You may also choose to undertake a PhD or professional doctorate.

Resources and facilities

We offer a wide range of learning and information resources designed for flexible learning in addition to modern campus facilities.

All of resources you require will be made available through the virtual learning environment and additionally you will provided with a free electronic portfolio.

Entry requirements

1st or 2nd class honours degree

Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course via APL procedures

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 120 credits Selection criteria

You should have completed a PgC in Learning and Teaching in HE or a similar alternative (the University of Cumbria PgC has recently been revalidated as PgC Academic Practice) If you have met UK PFS Standard 2 and are an FHEA, you may wish to apply for APL. This programme is designed to embed work-place learning, and applicants must be involved in HE leadership, teaching, learning support or other academic activities whilst undertaking each module.

Applicants with the required qualifications are not normally interviewed but accepted on the strength of their references and evidence of their experience. Where an applicant has appropriate professional recognition (UK PSF standard 2) and APL application will be accepted along side interview by the programme leader.

Modules

Leadership in Changing Academic Contexts

This 30 credit ‘stand alone’ M-Level module is suitable for all current and aspiring leaders and managers, and provides an opportunity for you to critically evaluate the nature of academic leadership within your personal working context. You will develop a critical awareness of the emerging complex and varied dimensions of leadership in different contexts and settings, to support you to lead learning and change for improvement. It is aligned to the UK PSF Standard 3 and to the Leadership and Management Framework and Development programme.

Using a blended learning method, the module focuses on the strategies leaders employ to effectively manage change in relation to people, policy and professional practice. Topics of study include:

• Academic leadership in practice: the realities of leadership and management in changing academic contexts
• Developing leadership: focused opportunities to reflect on, evaluate and improve your personal approach to leadership and management
• Change management and organisational development: the role of leadership in responding to change

Discipline Research and Scholarship as Academic Practice

This 30 credit ‘stand alone’ M-Level module is suitable for all current and aspiring researchers. It aims to extend your capability as an academic practitioner in disciplinary scholarship and research within a constantly changing and challenging learning environment. It will help you to systematically explore paradigms and methodologies of knowledge creation in your disciplinary area and relate these to your wider role as an academic. Using a blended learning method you will gain:

• a critical awareness of your role in the production and transfer of knowledge
• a comprehensive understanding of contemporary research debates
• the ability to develop a well-structured research proposal
• a personal research action plan which articulates with your wider academic practice

It is linked to the Vitae Research Development Framework, enabling you to build up evidence of your research related competences opening up further research activities in your future career.

Course summary

This new programme builds on your knowledge, understanding and skills gained in the PgC Academic Practice (or equivalent) - it aims to extend your capability as an academic practitioner in both disciplinary scholarship and research, and leadership skills within a constantly changing and challenging learning environment.