About the PGCert LTHE

The PGCert LTHE is designed for participants to gain a clear understanding of the core activities and pedagogical theory underpinning a professional role in teaching and supporting learning in a higher education (HE) context.  

The programme is a 60-credit masters-level (Level 7) teaching qualification. It commences with a 30-credit core module, Learning, Teaching and Assessment in Higher Education (LTA) and is followed by one 30-credit option module.

The programme has two start dates per academic year, September and January. 

The core module, LTA, is taught over two semesters. If starting LTA in September participants will submit their summative assessment for LTA in May. If starting LTA in January, participants will submit their summative assessment for LTA in September.

Participants should study the core module before commencing the optional module.

Depending on which option modules are taken, the PGCert LTHE will usually take between 18 months and two years to complete. 

The programme is accredited by AdvanceHE and upon successful completion of the core module, participants will gain Fellowship of AdvanceHE. The programme is predominantly taught online, with some optional face-to-face sessions. More details about how the programme is taught are found within each of the module sections of these web pages. 

Programme Details

Target Audience

This programme is aimed at individuals who are new to teaching in a Higher Education (HE) context (that have begun teaching within the last two years), hold a substantive teaching and learning role, and do not yet hold a nationally recognised HE teaching qualification. Subject to meeting the programme entry requirements, the following individuals are eligible to apply to join the PGCert LTHE: 

  • Manchester Metropolitan employed staff. 

  • Collaborative Partner Staff – staff who teach on HE programmes validated by Man Met but taught at another HE Institution (HEI). 

  • Clinical Educators – staff who teach HE students in a clinical/health profession setting.* 

The following individuals are not eligible to apply to join the PGCert LTHE: 

  • Any other individuals working outside of Man Met. 

  • Full-time doctoral students at Man Met (see NewT course instead). 

*Please note that some clinical teaching roles will not align to the focus of the PGCert provision, which is primarily focused on university teaching environments, e.g. lectures, seminars, classrooms, labs, etc. The suitability of clinical staff applications will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Please read more detail about the PGCert LTHE core module, LTA, to help you understand more about whether your teaching role will align to our provision. 

Entry Requirements

In order to ensure that applicants have the requisite experience to enable meaningful participation in the programme and to meet the requirements for AdvanceHE Fellowship during the core module, there are specific admission criteria based around experience and taught qualifications. 

Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis and applicants must be able to demonstrate (through their application form) that they are working in a teaching and learning role that has the required breadth and depth of practice, to be able to meet all Dimensions of Descriptor 2 of the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) 2023 by the end of the core module. 

To apply for the PGCert LTHE, participants must meet the entry requirements below: 

  1. Hold an honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject. 

  1. Be active in a teaching role within a HE institution or clinical setting throughout the duration of the full PGCert LTHE.  

  1. Man Met Staff/Collaborative Partner Staff: prior experience of teaching within a HE institution (a minimum of 4 – 6 hours per week on average) for a minimum of one semester (or equivalent).  

  1. Clinical Educators: prior experience of teaching HE students in a clinical setting (a minimum of 4 – 6 hours per week on average) for a minimum of one semester (or equivalent).  

  1. During PGCert LTHE Core Module, you will: 

  • Teach regularly (a minimum of 4 – 6 hours per week on average).  

  • Design, plan and deliver learning activities. 

  • Assess and give feedback for learning. 

Departmental Application Approval

All applications must be approved by the Head of Department (or equivalent) and Line Manager to verify that the applicant meets the entry requirements and that there is departmental approval for the applicant to undertake the programme. It is participants’ responsibility to ensure that this has been agreed and that any necessary arrangements have been made to support their study.  

By completing and submitting an application form, you must confirm that your participation in the programme has been agreed. Where necessary, we may contact Heads of Department (or equivalent) or Line Managers to verify this.  

Application forms are reviewed by the PGCert LTHE Programme Lead, Dr Sophie Bessant, who will review, approve and where necessary, arrange a follow-up meeting to explore individuals’ practice further, before applications are approved. 

Programme Fees

Course fees

The PGCert LTHE is offered at no cost to staff employed by Man Met, and there will be no charges incurred by your department or faculty. 

For entry in the 2024/25 academic year, collaborative partner staff and clinical educators not employed by Man Met will pay fees as follows:

  • £792 per 15 credits for Home (UK) students (£3168 for the full 60 credits)
  • £1542 per 15 credits for International students (£6168 for the full 60 credits)

Upon enrolment, participants will be billed and it is your responsibility to arrange for fees to be paid. Our website has further details on how to pay fees, including payment in instalments. If a sponsor (your employer, for example) is paying on your behalf, they must email [email protected] to confirm they will pay before you can enrol.

Fees for Fellowship of AdvanceHE

Upon completion of the core module - Learning, Teaching and Assessment in HE (LTA) - you will be eligible for the award of Fellowship of AdvanceHE. For some participants, this may incur an additional charge:

  • Man Met staff will not pay any additional fee for the award of Fellowship of AdvanceHE.
  • Collaborative partner staff and clinical educators employed by an institution/organisation that is an Advance HE Member (Full, International, Affiliate or International Access), will not pay an additional fee for the award of Fellowship of AdvanceHE. You can see a list of current members at the AdvanceHE website.
  • Collaborative partner staff and clinical educators employed by an institution/organisation that is not an AdvanceHE member will be charged an additional fee for Fellowship (on top of the PGCert programme fees listed above). This is 50% of the current Fellowship direct application fee for an individual from a non-member institution. This fee will be payable directly to AdvanceHE in order to claim your Fellowship. More information about current fees for Fellowship are found on the AdvanceHE webpages.
How To Apply

The application deadline for the Autumn Cohort closed on 23 August 2024. Our next entry point will be January 2025.

Before applying, please ensure you meet all the entry requirements on this page.

To apply:

  1. Download and complete the PGCert LTHE application form and send it to [email protected].
  2. Register for the core module, LTA, which you will study at the start of your course.

The application deadline for the PGCert LTHE starting in January 2025 is 6 December 2024.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is considered for the PGCert LTHE in line with the university’s Policy for the Recognition of Prior Learning. RPL is not usually considered for the PGCert LTHE core module (LTA) and participants will be asked to apply for RPL against one of the PGCert LTHE option modules. In exemptional circumstances, RPL against the LTA module may be considered, however, if granted, participants will be awarded the 30 credits only and not the Fellowship award. Participants then wishing to pursue Fellowship would need to apply separately for Fellowship via the University’s direct application scheme.