Routes to Higher Education Academy (HEA) accreditation at the University of Edinburgh
Dr Miesbeth Knottenbelt (SFHEA) Institute for Academic Development (IAD) (updated June 2015)
HEA accreditation overview
The Higher Education Academy (HEA) offers accreditation at four levels to teachers in Higher Education in
the UK. These are Associate Fellowship, Fellowship, Senior Fellowship and Principal Fellowship. These suit
different profiles i.e. they match the type of teaching roles and responsibilities, and the ‘Areas of Activity’
these activities span (e.g. teaching and supporting learning in the classroom, assessment, planning
teaching activities). This is described in detail in the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) which is
found on the HEA website at http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ukpsf
There are currently four different routes to accreditation offered at Edinburgh. The IAD offers three
courses that are accredited by the HEA: the Introduction to Academic Practice (IntroAP, accredited at
Associate Fellowship level) the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP, at fellowship level),
and the Edinburgh Teaching Award (EdTA) (a portfolio-route which can result in all levels of accreditation).
The IAD also supports those who apply directly to the HEA (the HEA Individual Recognition Route) with a
limited range of peer support. Clearly, the level of accreditation you apply for determines which of these
routes are relevant to you. The differences between the routes are summarised in the table overleaf.
Choosing your route to accreditation - deciding factors
1. Decide on the level of accreditation to apply for. Familiarise yourself with the relevant parts of the
HEA website, especially the sections ‘Professional Recognition’ and the UK Professional Standards
Framework (UKPSF). Then map your teaching experiences against the ‘Descriptors’ of the UKPSF.
Ask yourself which ‘Descriptor’ matches your profile best and what ‘Areas of activity’ your teaching
covers.
2. Study the table below and identify the routes that are relevant for seeking the level of
accreditation appropriate to your profile. For example, if you have decided to seek Associate
Fellowship, all routes except for the PGCAP may be open to you at first glance. Read the summary
information about the routes that are relevant to you, to get a first impression of the different
nature of these routes.
3. Check that you meet the eligibility criteria for the routes that are most attractive to you.
4. Consider your timeframe for achieving accreditation. Study the information in the table below and
think about: the time you have left teaching at Edinburgh; the relative workload involved in each
route in the context of your other commitments; and the time by which you will want to achieve
accreditation and at what level.
5. Consider the amount of support you think you might need to complete HEA accreditation and the
type of support you prefer. This might involve thinking about how familiar you are with reflective
writing about your teaching and with educational research; how strongly motivated you are to
complete this type of task on your own (or alternatively, how much you might need to rely on peers
/ course leaders to pull you through); and generally the type of learning activity you prefer to
engage in.
6. Once you have selected what seems like the best route for you, follow the links for detailed
information below and consider the specific steps you need to take to get started. Reconsider
your chosen route to see if it is still the most preferable on, now you have engaged with detailed
information.
Introduction to
Academic Practice
(IntroAP)
Postgraduate
Certificate in
Academic Practice
(PGCAP)
Fellow
Level
Associate Fellow
Type of route,
and typical
number and
type of
participants
A practice-focused,
roughly six-months
UoE course which is
accredited by the
HEA. Two intakes
annually (Jan, Sept):
work closely with
other PG students
and similar, in their
second year or later.
Course completion
requirements include:
participation in three
half-day workshops,
regular online
activity, peer teaching
observation, peer
commenting on
written work, and a
final reflective
account (1,000 word).
Edinburgh University
programme accredited
by the HEA and by the
School of Education.
Focus on practice
informed by
educational research.
Free for anyone with
current teaching roles
at Edinburgh. Only for
experienced T&Ds
with at least two
semesters of
teaching experiences,
AND you need to
have current teaching
roles while you are on
the course.
This course takes
place twice annually
Jan-June, or Sept –
early Feb. Register in
early Nov or July.
Look in MyEd for
(optional) IntroAP
information sessions.
You will be part of a
cohort, engage in
busy interactive
structured workshops
and online activity.
There is much
discussion about
practice, and you will
Free for anyone with
current teaching roles
at Edinburgh.
(Commercial rates per
course unit for others.)
Participants need to
have current teaching
roles across all areas
of activity or facing
these as part of their
contract at Edinburgh.
Course completion in
2-3 years. There are
two intakes (in April
and Dec) annually.
Course graduations
are in July and Nov.
Type of
activities to be
completed
Cost and
eligibility
requirements
Timing
Type of
support
available at
Edinburgh
Two-day Orientation
followed by a choice of
courses, each taught
over two full days (or
equivalent online).
Coursework and
assignments for each,
plus final synoptic
assignment.
There are intense full
days of face-to-face
courses to prepare
participants for
reading and
assignments; a
Personal Tutor for
additional support and
Edinburgh Teaching
Award (EdTA)
HEA Individual
Recognition Route
All four levels of
accreditation.
Some CPD, and
reflective writing with
reference to
educational research,
with the help of a
mentor. Flexibility
around timings (selfpaced).
All four levels of
accreditation.
Direct application to
the HEA. Popular route
for postgrads to
complete while
applying for jobs.
Minimum support but
maximum flexibility.
Fees to be paid.
Reflect on a range of
aspects of your own
teaching, and
complete and write up
your CPD activities.
Final assignment is an
oral presentation or
reflective online
workbook assessed
against the UKPSF.
Optional cohort
meetings.
Free for anyone with
current teaching roles
at Edinburgh.
Teaching experience
requirements depend
on the level of
accreditation you
apply for.
Complete an
application (reflective
statements about
different areas of your
teaching) and send this
to the HEA with two
references.
There is some
flexibility to work at
your own pace. There
are two starting points
and two panels for
submitting completed
work annually.
Each participant is
assigned to a cohort
and mentor, and can
participate in group
meetings that focus
on resolving queries
and guidance for
writing. Main contact
The HEA charges £100
for Associate, £200 for
Fellow applications
(due when you submit
it). Some Schools pay
TAs’ fees. Recent HE
teaching experience is
essential. Amount and
type required depends
on the level of
accreditation.
This is potentially the
quickest route to all
levels of accreditation.
Start any time and
submit directly to the
HEA. The HEA takes ~
two months to process
your application.
Workshops and an
online forum in Learn
provide a chance to
share queries and
draft work informally.
Some familiarity with
reflective writing and
strong motivation for
get lots of feedback
close contact with
on draft written work. peers in lively
interactive workshops.
is with mentor, though
peer support can also
be arranged.
completion helps, as
this process is mostly
self-driven.
Find out more and get started
Intro to
Academic
Practice
(IntroAP)
PGCAP
EdTA
HEA Direct
Route
Detailed information incl. course
handbook and registration form at:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schoolsdepartments/institute-academicdevelopment/learningteaching/tutorsdemonstrators/courses/enhanceddevelopment
Optional Introduction to Academic
Practice: Information Session (see
MyEd). Register your interest early
to avoid disappointment.
Detailed information about the
PGCAP incl. course handbook at:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schoolsdepartments/institute-academicdevelopment/learningteaching/staff/coursesevents/postgraduate-certificate
Detailed information about the EdTA
(all levels) incl. course handbook at:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schoolsdepartments/institute-academicdevelopment/learningteaching/cpd/teaching-award
Check out detailed information on
the HEA website at:
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/profe
ssional-recognition
The IAD Practical strategies for
seeking HEA accreditation (roughly
twice per semester, two-hour
workshop) is highly recommended. It
provides a wider perspective on the
different routes to accreditation, a
chance to ask questions and puts
you in touch with people who can
later help with completing the
application form. Once working on
an application, specific queries and
draft sections can be shared in an
online forum and occasional
accreditation workshops.
Registration opens in early
Nov (for Jan intake) and July
(for Sept intake).
Register by downloading the
application form from the
website.
Register for an IntroAP
Information Session, via MyEd
Events.
Register early, to avoid
disappointment.
Check the IntroAP website for
detailed information incl.
strict eligibility requirements.
Contact
IAD.cpdframework@ed.ac.uk
with queries.
Register by downloading the
application form from the
website any time of the year.
Register early for the intake
you prefer, to avoid
disappointment.
Check the PGCAP website for
detailed information incl.
strict eligibility requirements.
Contact
IAD.cpdframework@ed.ac.uk
with queries.
Register your interest by
emailing
IAD.cpdframework@ed.ac.uk
Register early for the intake
you prefer, to avoid
disappointment.
Download the application
form and complete it in your
own time (no need to register
with the HEA until you
submit).
Register for the Practical
Strategies for seeking HEA
accreditation session in MyEd
Events.
Check the EdTA website for
detailed information.
Contact for queries:
IAD.cpdframework@ed.ac.uk
Check the HEA and IAD
websites for detailed
information.
Contact
IAD.cpdframework@ed.ac.uk
with queries.
General guidance for developing your teaching is available on the IAD webpages (Tutoring &
Demonstrating -> Advice and Support section) at: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/instituteacademic-development/learning-teaching/tutors-demonstrators/support/enhancement/developingteaching