Program Overview

Academic Practice MEd

The Academic Practice programme is designed to support the professional development of staff involved in teaching and supporting learning in higher education. The programme provides practical advice and support to enhance competence, confidence, and professional development of teachers in higher education, as well as an opportunity to engage in scholarly practice, theory, and research related to higher education.

Programme Structure

The programme is built around four phases of study.

• Phase 1 is initial professional development in learning, teaching, and assessment in higher education and comprises three core courses:
  • Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
  • Course Design in your Discipline
  • Assessment and Feedback
• Phase 2 explores continuing professional development and comprises eight optional courses:
  • Supervising Students
  • Creative Pedagogies for Active Learning
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning I: designing a practice enquiry
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning II: undertaking a practice enquiry
  • Impact and Influence in Learning and Teaching
  • Inclusive Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
  • Designing Online Education: MOOCs, micro-credentials, and online, distance learning
  • Intercultural Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
• Phase 3 continues the learning journey, with a core course and elective courses:
  • Core course: Design your SoTL Enquiry
  • Elective courses:
    • Contextualising your Educational Enquiry
    • Analysing your Enquiry Data
• Phase 4 requires the completion of a Masters project related to academic practice.

Career Prospects

The professional recognition and qualifications gained through completion of this programme are designed to support advancement in academic careers.

Fees & Funding

• There are no fees for University of Glasgow staff.
• Additional fees:
  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): Ł370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: Ł350
  • Registration/exam only fee: Ł170
• Funding opportunities:
  • UK Study Online Scholarship

Entry Requirements

1. A confirmed teaching-related workload of at least 30 hours for the duration of the first year of the programme.
2. The teaching-related workload must include student contact hours and assessment responsibilities.

• For University of Glasgow staff members, it is expected that the first 60 credits will be achieved through completion of the PgCert in Academic Practice (PGCAP).
• English language requirements for external applicants:
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • TOEFL (ibt, mybest, or at home): 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Pearsons PTE Academic: 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
  • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
  • Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • LanguageCert Academic/Academic Online: 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
  • Password Skills Plus: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II: Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
  • Kaplan Test of English: Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
  • University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses: Accepted for 2 years following the date of successful completion.
• Alternatives to English Language qualification:
  • Degree from a majority-English speaking country.
  • Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from a majority-English speaking country.

Application Deadlines

• September 2026:
  • International & EU applicants: 30 June 2026
  • UK applicants: 31 July 2026
• January 2027:
  • International & EU applicants: 30 September 2026
  • UK applicants: 31 October 2026