Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PCAP)

About the Programme

PCAP is a one-year part-time, work-based, 60 CATS, M-Level programme, designed to enable new academic staff with teaching responsibilities to reach a nationally-recognised standard of competence in teaching and learning support. The programme is provided by LATEU in partnership with the School of Education. It has also been accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), which means that those who successfully complete the programme can apply to the HEA for Fellow status. PCAP participants work closely with mentors within their discipline, in order to situate educational theory and experience within the relevant context.

The programme consists of two modules, each worth 30 CATS both of which currently run 3 times a year, once on Wednesday afternoons in semester 1, again on Wednesday afternoons in semester 2 and then again intensively over the Easter vacation.

A copy of the Programme Specification is provided on the right of this page. Further details are provided in the module outlines available on the individual Module web pages.

 

Please note there have been some changes to the PCAP curriculum that were implemented in January 2010 and changes to the timing and delivery of PCAP which will be implemented from the start of the 2010/11 academic year. A summary of both these changes is provided in two documents provided on the right of this page.

Who can take the programme?

Full time new academic staff serving a probationary period (except clinical and research appointments) are required to undertake both Modules of PCAP (full details of who is required to do PCAP are available under the requirements and excemptions tab to the left of this page). Other staff teaching students at the university of Southampton may take the programme if there are places available and if they are supported in doing so by their faculty/school.

Applicants to the PCAP programme may claim either full or partial exemption from elements of the programme if they already posses appropriate qualifications or experience.

What should I do if I want to take the programme?

You should contact LATEU@soton.ac.uk and attend an Introduction to PCAP session (details below). In addition you should look at the dates for module 1 sessions (see module 1 page) and start to consider the peer observation requirements of the course and additional learning events that you will need to attend.

Introduction to PCAP sessions

Introduction to PCAP lunchtime sessions will be running throughout the year to provide an overview of PCAP including information about who should do the course and who can apply for exemption. It will also provide an opportunity to have questions about the programme answered. To sign up for a session please go to www.staffbook.soton.ac.uk 

Date

Time

Venue

Thursday, September 16, 2010

13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

13:00-13:45

25/3077 (LATEU training room)

These sessions will be open to all but will be ideal for:

  • potential or new PCAP participants
  • current or new PCAP mentors

Any Queries

If you have any queries relating to PCAP please contact LATEU@soton.ac.uk