Department for Curriculum and Quality Enhancement

UK Professional Standards for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education

Background information

The UK Professional Standards for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education were developed in response to the UK White Paper, ‘The Future of Higher Education’ (2003), by the Higher Education Academy on behlf of the sector and launched in 2006.

Standard Descriptor HEA Fellowship category Target group
D1 Associate Fellow
  • Staff who support learning
  • Academic staff with limited teaching portfolios
  • Some research staff
D2 Fellow
  • Early career academic staff Experienced academic staff with substantive teaching and learning responsibilities
D3 Senior Fellow
  • Experienced academic staff who can demonstrate impact & influence through academic leadership &/or mentoring
D4 Principal Fellow
  • Senior academic staff responsible for institutional leadership


The full version of the Standards, which sets out details of the 4 descriptors, underpinning areas of activity, core knowledge, and professional values, is available on the HE Academy website.

The University has established a number of requirements concerning achievement of the Standards for newly appointed academic staff. See HR webpages for details.