What is the Associate Tutors programme?

This programme provides an introduction to learning, teaching and assessment in higher education. It is aimed at part-time and sessional HE academic staff who are new to HE teaching and who are working on any Christ Church validated award, including those working on collaborative programmes from other institutions. It can be taken in the form of CPD workshops or as credit bearing if the appropriate assessed work is completed. 

The total credit available is 20 master's credit (2x10 credit assessment tasks).   For those who subsequently secure teaching contracts at Christ Church equivalent to 0.5 or above, the programme also offers a 20 credit exemption from the 60 credit Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (HE). Successful completion of the assessed work also enables participants to become Associate Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. Engagement with the second module (see below) also enables participants to become Christ Church associate examiners. 


Who is it for?

The programme is principally aimed at those who are new to UK HE teaching and who are working in the following capacities:

a) Sessional or fractional academic staff employed by the University, on contracts below 0.5 fte, or the equivalent

b) Staff employed by another institution (mainly further education colleges), who undertake some HE teaching on a Christ Church validated programme

c) PhD students at the University who may be undertaking some teaching.


What does it cover?

Part One (10 credits) – An Introduction to Learning and Teaching in HE| - this module will be delivered flexibly to suit each cohort, but would normally involve at least two taught sessions of 3 hours.

Part Two (10 credits) - Curriculum, Assessment and Quality Assurance| - this module will be delivered flexibly to suit each cohort, but would normally involve blended learning using a combination of taught workshops and engagement with electronic learning resources.

Progression Opportunities?

Participants who successfully complete the assessed work for these two modules, and who subsequently secure an academic post of 0.5 fte or above, at CCCU will be granted advanced standing on the PGCLT (HE)| award, and begin the optional modules on that programme.


What are the entry requirements?

Normally, all participants should have a degree or equivalent level of qualification, and be working on a Christ Church HE validated award.


What support is there?

i) Programme tutors to assist with assessment and monitor progress

ii) Programme mentor to assist with identification of discipline specific curriculum issues and to undertake observations and reviews of teaching.


Length of programme?

This is a flexible short-course which normally involves two to three taught workshops, followed by engagement with electronic learning resources. For those wishing to complete the assessed work there is an Examination Board held once a year, in December.


When and where does it run?

The programme runs throughout the academic year, whenever there is a viable cohort of participants, at a venue which is convenient to those participants. For those unable to join a ready made cohort there are sessions running in the first week of March every year, at the main Canterbury campus.


How do I apply?

In the first instance, talk to the programme director of the Christ Church award you are teaching on, or the head of the Graduate School if you are a PhD student.


Further details?

Please e-mail Nicky Galer at: nicky.galer@canterbury.ac.uk |


This is part of the CCCU academic professional development framework:

www.canterbury.ac.uk/academic-development-framework|