Learning & Teaching in Higher Education MEd

The MEd/PgDip/PgCert Learning & Teaching in Higher Education offers the opportunity to deepen your understanding of academic practice within the university setting.

  • This is Scotland’s only distance learning Masters programme in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education.
  • Upon successful completion of the first 60 credits of this programme (the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education)  you will be eligible for professional accreditation with the Higher Education Academy.
  • There is a focus on collaborative learning online, drawing on your own experiences and those of your academic colleagues.

Programme overview

  • MEd: 36 months part-time (distance learning)
  • PgDip: 24 months part-time (distance learning)
  • PgCert: 12 months part-time (one week face to face teaching in Glasgow at the start of the year, otherwise distance learning)

The first week of the programme in the first year is based at the University of Glasgow. The remainder of the programme is taught online, allowing you to balance your study and work commitments.

Core courses

Year 1

(Courses 1-3 complete the PgCert in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education)

  • Course 1: Designing effective learning & teaching in higher education
  • Course 2: Evaluating learning, teaching & assessment in higher education
  • Course 3: Developing as a teacher in higher education: responding to learners

Year 2

(Course 1–6 complete the PgDip in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education)

  • Course 4: Exploring key themes in academic practice
  • Course 5: Evaluating the quality of higher education research
  • Course 6: Designing higher education research

Year 3

  • Course 7: Dissertation in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education

(Course 7 completes the MEd in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education)

Career prospects

It is likely you will already be employed within higher education. The professional accreditation and skills you gain during this programme should help enhance your career in the higher education sector.

Further information: Lucinda Dempsie
email: ltc-medlthe@glasgow.ac.uk

Academic entry requirements

You must be teaching in higher education in order to undertake the first year of the MEd programme. This is because the assessed work for the PgCert in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education requires you to have your teaching observed by a peer and to evaluate your own teaching practice.

As part of the application process you will need to complete a personal statement which requests details of your current teaching commitments.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
     

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

  • ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
  • PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

We ask that you apply online for a postgraduate taught degree. Our system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University within 42 days of starting your application.

You need to read the guide to applying online before starting your application. It will ensure you are ready to proceed, as well as answer many common questions about the process.

Guide to applying online

Do I have to apply online for a postgraduate taught degree?

Yes. To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We are unable to accept your application by any other means than online.

Do I need to complete and submit the application in a single session?

No. You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload additional documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

What essential documentation should I have available before I start my application?

As well as completing your online application fully, it is essential that you submit the following documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • Two supporting reference letters on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

Do my supporting documents need to be submitted online?

Yes, where possible, please upload the supporting documents with your application.

What if I am unable to submit all of my supporting documents online?

If you cannot upload an electronic copy of a document and need to send it in by post, please attach a cover sheet to it that includes your name, the programme you are applying for, and your application reference number.

You may send them to:

Recruitment & International Office
71 Southpark Avenue
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Fax: +44 141 330 4045

Can I email my supporting documents?

No. We cannot accept email submissions of your supporting documents.

What should I do if am having problems using the online application system?

If you are having issues, please email doashelp@mis.gla.ac.uk

What entry requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?

You should check that you have met (or are likely to have met prior to the start of the programme) the individual entry requirements for the degree programme you are applying for. This information can be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab on each individual programme page, such as the one you are viewing now.

What English Language requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?

If you are an international student, you should also check that you have met the English Language requirements specific to the programme you are applying for. These can also be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab for each specific programme.

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately, they are also available within the help section of the online application form. You can also download a PDF with detailed guidance information for the online application system:
Applicants' Guide to Online Application

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
  • References: Please provide the names and contact details of two academic references. Where applicable one of these references may be from your current employer. References should be completed on letter headed paper and uploaded on to your application.

Standard application deadlines

  • International applications (non-EU) 23 July 2013
  • UK and EU applications 27 August 2013

For those starting in year 1 of the programme there is a face-to-face induction and teaching week at the University of Glasgow from Monday 9th-Friday 13th September 2013.

Applicants for year 1 of the programme should complete a PGT Learning & Teaching in Higher Education - Personal Statement Form and upload this with their online application form.

Apply now