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Higher Education Administration, Management & Leadership PGCert

  • Level(s) of Study: Professional
  • Start Date(s): April 2024 / October 2024
  • Duration: 12 months part-time
  • Study Mode(s): Part-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

The AHEP Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership (PGCert) is a work-based learning programme for higher education professionals working within UK higher education administration.

The programme deepens and tests your knowledge and understanding of the Higher Education (HE) sector whilst enhancing your skills as a reflective practitioner, incorporating AHEP professional commitments framework into your working life.

The programme will:

  • Engage you in a process of planned professional development, based on reflection and self-assessment of your skills and competencies in professional contexts
  • Develop your understanding and critical awareness of current issues in the sector, through independent learning and research
  • Develop an understanding of leadership and management in the context of HE
  • Enhance your professional practice through critical appraisal of, and reflection on, your knowledge, skills, behaviours and values
  • Develop reflective skills enabling you to apply your knowledge and understanding to evaluate and analyse your practice and experiences.

These courses in Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership are underpinned by academic rigour and designed to help students to develop knowledge and skills that can be easily transferred to the workplace. Ultimately, the courses aim to develop excellent administrators who have the skills, integrity and commitment to make a positive contribution to the societies in which they live and work.

If you completed the AHEP Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice in HE Management during the last five years, you may be eligible for an alumni discount and direct progression to the PG Diploma.

You might also be interested in:

  • This course is delivered in collaboration with the Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP).
  • You are supported by an assigned a mentor who is a HE professional, an AHEP member and works at a UK HE institution or within the sector.

Join our internationally accredited business school

Nottingham Business School is accredited to AACSB and EQUIS, the highest international standards for business school education. We are one of 47 global PRME Champions - a United Nations-supported initiative leading the way with sustainable and responsible management education.

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What you’ll study

The programme is distance learning and studied part time over 12 months. You are supported by online study blocks and assigned a mentor who is a HE professional, an AHEP member and works at a UK HE institution or within the sector.

The programme comprises two compulsory modules at level 7 that make up the 60 credit PGCert award. You must successfully complete both in order to achieve the full award, but credits are awarded for any successful module completion.

HE in Context module

The UK higher education has undergone unprecedented levels of change and diversification. The administration and management of HE has evolved and expanded to meet these challenges. HE institutions need professional services staff who command a wide range of skills and knowledge and are competent in applying their experience in a complex professional environment. The aim of the module is to give students the opportunity to analyse and evaluate their existing knowledge base pertaining to higher education, thereby developing a critical awareness of current issues in the sector.  Through a series of knowledge-based assessments relevant to their role and professional practice students will integrate theory and practice exploring topics and policy that develop their understanding of leadership, governance and management and ultimately improve professional practice for the benefit of the wider context of UK HE.

The following is indicative content for the module:

* History and development of HE, with a focus on the UK

* Current and developing HE policy within the four UK nations

* Different institutional business models

* Leadership, governance and management within HE

* The context within which the sector operates

Professional Practice in HE module

The aim of this module is to allow students to analyse and evaluate their knowledge of the higher education sector; and of leadership, governance and management; and apply this to their own practice and the context in which they work. Through critical reflection on their knowledge, practice, experiences and learning, students will demonstrate their ability to apply reflective skills to improve practice and to support their continuing professional development and personal improvement.

The following is indicative content for the module:

* Understanding models and principles of reflective practice and their application

* Understanding the AHEP Professional Commitments

* Self-analysis of capacities against the AHEP Professional Commitments

* Developing as an HE professional through professional development planning and reflective practice

Modules are assessed through coursework as follows:

Module 1: Higher Education in Context

  • This module allows students to look at a number of topics relating to the higher education sector. The aim of the module is to give students the opportunity to analyse and evaluate the existing knowledge base pertaining to higher education, thereby developing a critical awareness of current issues in the sector.

Module 2: Professional Practice in Higher Education

  • The aim of this module is to allow students to analyse and evaluate their knowledge of the higher education sector; and of leadership, governance and management; and apply this to their own practice and the context in which they work.
  • Through critical reflection on their knowledge, practice, experiences and learning, students will demonstrate their ability to apply reflective skills to improve practice and to support their continuing professional development and personal improvement.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Waheeda Dhansey

I was certain that undertaking this programme would benefit me enormously in further underpinning my role as a manager and leader. I believe I could influence and have an even more positive contribution in achieving success that has benefitted my team and the wider team

David Duell

I feel that my studies from the PGCert to the MSc have helped me better understand what roles I am looking for and what career trajectory I want to take in HE. It’s given me some broader understanding of HE policy and strategy.

Student story: Leanne Hunt

Leanne shares her experience on this course.
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How you’re taught

The course relies on a blend of face-to-face and online delivery. It is supported by self-directed study. All students are required to attend four study days with combined content for both modules. Study days are delivered as both face-to-face events and online delivery. They are interactive and will contain practical group discussions to provide guidance and information. The study days also maximise networking opportunities with other students on the programme.

You are supported by an assigned a mentor who is a HE professional, an AHEP member and works at a UK HE institution or within the sector.

You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that gives you 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.

For more information on how the course is delivered please visit the AHEP website.

Careers and employability

This course does not currently offer placements, but the course assignments are based on real-world issues.

Applicants must therefore be in employment, or be able to gain access to an organisation upon which to base assignments. You will need permission from the organisation to use their data during your course.

Campus and facilities

We are continually investing in our facilities, and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere.

The School is based in the impressive Newton Building on NTU's City Campus.

Postgraduate Centre

A short walk from the Newton building and Boots library, the Postgraduate Centre facilitates on-campus teaching for Nottingham Business School’s postgraduate and executive education courses.

Dryden Centre

Benefit from the newly built NTU Dryden Enterprise Centre that provides dedicated support for entrepreneurs, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Entry requirements

You will usually:

  • have at least 6 months experience of working in the HE sector in an administrative or managerial capacity; and
  • be currently working within the UK or Republic of Ireland HE sector; and
  • hold a UK or Republic of Ireland undergraduate degree or equivalent.

If you do not hold a first degree you may be admitted to the programme if you:

  • have at least 12 months of experience of working in the HE sector in an administrative or managerial capacity; and
  • are currently working within the UK or Republic of Ireland HE sector; and/or
  • hold equivalent professional or other qualifications, judged on a case-by-case basis.

All applications are considered on an individual basis. Your personal statement, supporting professional reference, qualifications and experience are all taken into account.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

The programme is based on the UK higher education sector and therefore only eligible for applicants who live and work in the UK or ROI. Unfortunately it is not possible for anyone outside the UK or ROI to apply.

Fees and funding

Please visit the AHEP website for more details on fees for this course.

How to apply

All participants should apply via the AHEP website.

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