Department for Curriculum and Quality Enhancement

Higher Education Academy Professional Recognition

staff at meetingThe University offers support to all staff who teach or support learning who wish to seek professional recognition as a Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellow or Associate.

What is the Higher Education Academy?

The HE Academy is a body with three main areas of activity: support for academic practice in the disciplines, professional recognition for individual staff who meet the UK Professional Standards, and support for HE institutions via work relating to NSS and other student experience surveys.

  • What are the benefits of becoming an HE Academy Fellow or Associate Fellow?

    In addition to meeting the UK Professional Standards, Fellows of the HE Academy may use the post-nominal letters FHEA; Associates may use the post-nominal letters AFHEA. Most universities (including Portsmouth) now require newly appointed staff to meet the UK Professional Standards. By becoming an HEA Fellow you will have met this expectation. As a Fellow or Associate, you will receive occasional emails concerning HE Academy events, research, publications and funding opportunities.

     

  • How can I become an HE Academy Fellow or Associate?

    • By completing an HE Academy accredited programme such as the University's Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE).
    • By making an application to become a Fellow or Associate through the HE Academy's professional recognition scheme.

     

  • What does the Professional Recognition Scheme involve?

    1. A written Account of Professional Practice addressing each of the following five Areas of Activity:

      • Design and plan learning activities and/or programmes of study
      • Teach and /or support learning
      • Assess and give feedback to learners
      • Develop effective learning environments and approaches to student support and guidance
      • Engage in continuing professional development in subjects/disciplines and their pedagogy, incorporating research, scholarship and the evaluation of professional practices
    2. Two references from colleagues who are in a position to comment on your teaching and/or support for learning
    3. Institutional Endorsement - this may be obtained by emailing your application to the Director of DCQE, valda.bunker@port.ac.uk together with a short statement from your Head of Department confirming that it has been agreed that you should seek professional recognition via the HEA's individual recognition scheme

     

  • What support is available for staff applying for HE Academy Fellowship or Associateship?

    • Academic Development workshops, 'Applying for HEA Fellowship' and 'Applying for HEA Associateship'. See the Academic Events Programme for further details and to book a place.
    • Reimbursement of the £200 initial recognition fee for applications made before 31st July 2012. Send a copy of your receipted invoice to Sophie Prater, DCQE Finance Administrator, Nuffield Centre.

     

  • How should I inform the University that I have achieved this professional recognition?

    The University is required to provide data to the Higher Education Statistics Agency about the number of staff 'with a relevant higher education teaching qualification and what that is'. This includes the number of staff who have achieved HEA professional recognition. For this reason it is important that the University's personnel records are up to date.

    • You should take the original copy of your Certificate to Human Resources so that they can update your records
    • Make sure that your Head of Department is aware of your achievement via the PDR process