AUA Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice in Higher Education Management
2013/14
Contents 1
Welcome
2
Factual summary
2
Aims and learning outcomes
3
Overview
4
Requirements
5
Support provision
6
Self-directed study
7
Preparing for study
Welcome to the AUA Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice in Higher Education Management The PgCert is a specialised programme designed for the needs of the sector aimed specifically at professional managers and administrators in UK higher education (HE). It has a strong reputation for its innovative approach to learning, which enables participants to tailor the programme to their own personal development needs. In recent years, UK HE has undergone unprecedented levels of change and diversification. Correspondingly, the administration and management of HE has developed and expanded to meet these challenges. In this context, HE institutions require administrative and managerial staff who command a wide range of skills and knowledge, and are competent in applying their experience in a highly complex and wide-ranging professional environment. This programme is designed to help individuals rise to these challenges and fulfil their potential as professional managers and administrators. It is validated at level 7, and contains both a substantial element of professional development and academic rigour which work at that level demands. It will require your genuine commitment to your learning and professional development. And, ultimately, it will enable recognition of professionalism and dedication to the sector. There is an admissions specialist route for those who do, or would like to specialise in recruitment and admissions. This prospectus is designed to give you information about the programme, its structure, and the learning framework. For further information, staff at the AUA National Office will be happy to help. Email aua@aua.ac.uk or telephone 0161 275 2063.
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Factual Summary Awarding institution
The Open University
Teaching institution
The Association of University Administrators (AUA)
Final award
Postgraduate Certificate
Programme tile
AUA Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice in Higher Education Management AUA Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice in Higher Education Management (specialism in admissions)
Mode of delivery
Self-directed, supported, work-based learning programme
Duration of the programme
24 months
Level of Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
Level 7
Credit value
60 credits
Notional learning time
600 hours Average hours per week - 6
Most relevant subject benchmark statement
Masters awards in Business Management
Validated
18—19 March 2002, 22-23 March 2006, 29-30 March 2009, 5 May 2012
Next validation
2015
Programme aims and learning outcomes The aim of the programme is to give participants the opportunity to analyse and evaluate the existing knowledge base pertaining to UK HE, and for the admissions route a special reference to student admissions, thereby developing a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues in the sector. Through critical reflection on their learning participants will apply knowledge to their own context and enhance their skills as reflective, professional practitioners who are committed to continuing professional development and personal improvement. The programme is designed to provide opportunities for participants to: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Engage in a process of planned professional development, based on reflection and selfassessment of skills and competencies in a range of professional contexts; Develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues in the sector, through independent learning and research; Enhance professional practice through engagement with and reflection on the AUA Values and professional behaviours; Develop reflective skills to enhance knowledge, understanding, and practice through evaluation and analysis of experiences. Advance your career with the AUA PgCert
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Overview The AUA is the professional association for staff working in management and administration in higher education and related bodies. The AUA Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice in Higher Education Management is a key vehicle for realising AUA’s mission to promote excellence in HE administration and management. AUA is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer programmes leading to Open University validated awards. This programme has been developed and will be delivered by AUA. It has been validated through a process of peer review by The Open University as being of an appropriate standard and quality to lead to an Open University Validated Award.
What is Professional Practice in Higher Education Management? It is having an understanding of the key challenges facing the HE sector so that administrators and managers working in the sector can develop an awareness of effectiveness and efficiencies in their current practices.
What is the AUA PgCert? The PgCert is designed as a self-directed, supported, work-based learning programme. It provides opportunities for participants to develop and test their knowledge and understanding of the HE sector, and to develop and enhance their skills as reflective practitioners. It also requires participants to incorporate the AUA Values into their working life. The programme leads to a level 7 Postgraduate Certificate validated and awarded by The Open University. Theory and practice are integrated, and participants draw on and use their work experience in their learning and personal development as a reflective practitioner.
What personal and transferable skills will be developed? Transferable skills are developed through engagement with the directed learning activities and the independent study, the writing of the essays themselves, and through work-based learning, supported by the mentor. Participants also apply reflective skills to improve practice and to support their continuing professional development and personal improvement.
‘I would recommend anyone who is serious about pursuing a career in HE to sign up. The PgCert has helped to broaden my knowledge and experience which has made my day to day role more fulfilling’.
Who is the programme designed for? The programme is designed for professional managers and administrators across the spectrum of UK HE. Applications from non-AUA members are welcome, but successful applicants will need to join the Association before they can register on the programme. Advance your career with the AUA PgCert
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Requirements The programme contains two compulsory modules. The first module is taken in year one, the second module in year two. Both modules must be completed in order to achieve the full award, however modules can be completed and credits achieved for single modules. Details and requirements are as follows: Module 1 - The UK Higher Education Sector comprised of knowledge assignments selection of specified set of optional assignment titles is required to satisfy the specialism in admissions award
30 credits
Module 2 - Reflective Practice in work-based learning comprised of reflective assignment and portfolio focus on admissions based evidence contained within the portfolio is required to satisfy the specialism in admissions award
30 credits
Total- 60 credits
Module 1 - The UK Higher Education Sector
The module allows participants to look at a number of themed topics relating to the UK HE sector. The aim is to give participants the opportunity to analyse and evaluate the existing knowledge base pertaining to UK HE, thereby developing a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues in the sector. Three knowledge assignments (3000 word essays) comprise the assessment requirements of the module. The module may normally include consideration of the following areas, dependent on optional assignment titles chosen:
The business of higher education (HE) The changing HE policy landscape The student experience Teaching and learning
Quality standards HE administration, management, leadership Research management and knowledge transfer Strategy, planning and institutional research
Participants selecting from and successfully completing optional assignment titles will be awarded the PgCert (specialism in admissions). Module 2 - Reflective Practice for work-based learning This module allows a participant to apply their knowledge and understanding of the HE sector to their practice through work-based learning. The aim is to allow participants to analyse and evaluate their knowledge of the UK HE sector and apply this to their own practice and the context in which they work. Through critical reflection on their knowledge, practice, experiences and learning, participants will demonstrate their ability to apply reflective skills to improve practice and to support their continuing professional development and personal improvement. One professional behaviours assignment (3000 words) and a Portfolio of practice which includes reflective commentary (2000 words) and supporting evidence comprise the assessment requirements of the module. The module may normally include consideration of: Models and principles of reflective prac-
tice and their application Approaches to personal development planning
Self assessment of skills and competencies AUA Values and Behaviours as an ethical standard
for their behaviours
Participants presenting one third of Portfolio evidence focussed on the specialism, will be awarded the PgCert (specialism in admissions). Advance your career with the AUA PgCert
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Support provision Although participants are expected to manage their own learning, they are provided with resources to support that learning: Compulsory study days and optional development sessions are
supported by directed reading and engagement with a wide range of self-led activities Extensive programme information available on the Participant Portal, the web-based learning resource Personal mentor Support and advice from the AUA National Office
Study days All participants are required to attend three study days which occur on the start of each of the two modules. Study days are interactive and will contain practical group discussions to provide guidance and information on how to complete modules. The study days also maximise networking opportunities with other participants on the programme. Dates for module study days are made available under the admissions information for the academic year at www.aua.ac.uk.
Participant Portal The Participant Portal contains comprehensive guidance on all the elements of the programme, the programme regulations and background information on knowledge areas for both modules. Reading lists are also provided on the Portal which are indicative rather than prescriptive, and are seen as a starting point to drive self-directed learning. Consistent with the ethos of the programme, participants will be expected to do literature searches and should be prepared to do a significant amount of reading and investigation around the subject areas in pursuit of learning outcomes. Access to the Portal is provided in advance of the first module to conduct induction exercises including personal development planning.
Mentor The mentor relationship is a key support mechanism to the programme. Mentors are professional HE managers and administrators and are fully trained by AUA to provide support for the participant in facilitating their own self-directed learning. One of the purposes of the mentoring arrangement is to broaden perspectives and to challenge thinking beyond the immediate professional context. For that reason, mentors are allocated to participants with different professional backgrounds. Therefore, mentors will work at a different institution (which may be a different type of institution altogether), and/or have a different area of expertise. This creates a dynamic which values professional diversity and increases the opportunity for exploring the whole spectrum of higher education. It is the participants responsibility to maintain and lead the relationship with the mentor, who will be assigned following attendance at the first module study day, and it is important to recognise that the mentor will not be a tutor: his / her role is not to teach, but to facilitate the participants self-directed learning.
AUA National Office AUA staff that form the programme team are available to provide support and advice on how the programme is structured, delivered, and assessed. Advance your career with the AUA PgCert
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Self-directed study What is self-directed study? The structure and ethos of the programme are such that participants are expected to plan and execute their own personal and professional development within the parameters of the programme. AUA provides a supportive framework within which this can happen, but participants are responsible for determining the means by which they develop skills and acquire knowledge. There is no taught provision, therefore participants must independently engage with the programme syllabus.
I used the PgCert to broaden my knowledge beyond my immediate area of expertise, and studied areas such as governance and student support. This has been invaluable when liaising and working with colleagues from other parts of my institution.
Characteristics of effective self-directed learners:
Persistence, resilience, dedication Independence, self-discipline, self-reliance Ability to build and sustain support networks Organisation skills– of self, time and work Planning and completing projects / workload Initiative, pro-activeness, curiosity
David Winstanley, AUA PgCert Graduate
What resources are required for self-directed study? The Participant Portal is an essential resource in undertaking the programme and it’s modules. Use of the Portal is essential, therefore access to a computer and internet is required. Indicative reading lists are provided as a starting point and many of the items will be available from academic journals and publications, including perspectives which is freely available to AUA members. Participants must be able to source their own reading materials, and it is anticipated that their employing institution will have access to a range of books, articles and journals which will be required when researching assignments. Consideration of the following is recommended:
Access to institutional library stock and inter-library loan service - to gain access to books and online journals
Access to other local HEI libraries - even though it is unlikely to be given borrowing rights, notes can be taken from texts
Using your professional networks including your mentor, to help you access texts and resources
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Preparing for study Expected workload The programme represents a real commitment to personal development. Finding time to undertake self-directed study alongside personal and working commitments can be a real challenge. Undertaking the PgCert will require discipline, planning, and workload management to keep on track for success. Deadlines for the assessment are staged throughout your registration on the programme. The following table illustrates the average weekly workload for the whole programme (both modules). The total recommended workload is 600 hours over the whole period of registration. Total duration of the PgCert
Total number of hours
Average hours / week
24 months
600
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Six hours a week may not sound very much, but it means doing the equivalent of an hour’s study after work every night, or three hours each day over the weekend. It will require setting up a study plan in order to set aside some time each week, and asking an employer for study leave may also be considered. A useful point of reference in determining the level of work expected is the level 7 qualification descriptor set out by the Quality Assurance Agency. This can be accessed from the QAA website at www.qaa.ac.uk.
Returning to academic study The PgCert is innovative in balancing professional development and reflective writing with academic inquiry (that demands reading and research skills, critical analysis and linking theory to practice). You may have been away from study for some time, so whilst you may be used to writing reports or promotional material in your workplace, you may not have written an academic assignment or done any reflective writing for some time. Even if you already have an undergraduate degree, you must be able to make the shift to writing at level 7.
‘Taking part in the PgCert has led to a noticeable difference to my confidence and visibility at work. I feel that I am able to make informed suggestions about process improvements rather than just ‘doing’ my job. This growing sector knowledge and increased visibility has allowed me to progress whilst playing to my strengths. I have also taken part in activities outside of the ‘day job’, many AUA-related (e.g. proofreading for Newslink, participating in the AUA Institutional Review and Revalidation, and involvement with the International HE Network).’ Lisa Burton, AUA PgCert Graduate 2012
Practical advice on study skills, reflective practice and the standard of work expected will be available on the Portal and covered at Study days, but only as an introduction, so consideration of skills in these areas will be required. For example, employing institutions will probably provide some form of study skills training which can be accessed. Key study skills which should be addressed prior to starting the programme include: Writing level 7 academic assignments Referencing
‘Critical’ reading of academic texts Taking notes (while reading)
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AUA National Office University of Manchester Sackville Street Building Manchester M60 1QD Tel: 0161 275 2063 Fax: 0161 275 2036 Email: aua@aua.ac.uk www.aua.ac.uk