PCUTL (pre September 2011)

The Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (PCUTL) is a 60 credit M-level qualification, which seeks to provide a systematic yet flexible orientation to the knowledge, values, understanding and skills associated with world-class teaching and learning in a research-led university.

The basic ethos of the scheme is to enable participants to become more competent, confident and reflective university teachers, capable of critically evaluating and developing their own teaching and learning approach in order to facilitate high quality student learning at Cardiff University. The programme provides a practical, work-based and theoretical grounding for participants, by engaging them in the process of enquiry into their own role as a teacher and facilitator of student learning. Such enquiry is encouraged with reference to both discipline and inter-disciplinary contexts, and in relation to a diverse student body.

The programme has been designed in such a way that it can be taken in two stages (Module 1 and Module 2), over a period of up to five years. The programme has been designed to meet the needs of new teaching staff who do not possess formal teaching qualifications. It would also prove useful for more experienced colleagues who may wish to review and refresh their approaches to student learning and teaching.

Successful completion of Module 1 of PCUTL is a requirement of the three year probation process. This requirement may be waived for individuals who can provide documentary evidence of the award of a comparable qualification, or adjusted for individuals who can demonstrate significant teaching experience.

In June 2007 PCUTL was accredited by the Higher Education Academy such that participants completing PCUTL Module 1 can automatically claim Fellow Status (Standard 2).  The accreditation reports are available from Clare Kell (kellc@cardiff.ac.uk, Tel: 02920 870008) upon request.

Further information is available from the Organisational and Staff Development Team on 029 20870008 and through the links on the right.

Health care professionals may wish to progress from Module 1 to the distance learning Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education (by Distance Learning)  offered by the School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.