University Advanced Professional Certificate Higher Education Practice

Year of Entry 2025/26
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University Advanced Professional Certificate

Higher Education Practice

Progress your career in higher education, developing your ability to support students and communicate effectively.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £1,935 for the course
    International/EU: £2,955 for the course

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    5 Months

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    July 2026


Course summary

Develop your understanding of theory and practice relating to the support of students, communication and learning in higher education. Learn to create and manage effective learning and support environments. Understand how to work with students in order to help them reach their potential in higher education. Increase your awareness of the wider higher education context and current issues.This course is suitable if you work in a student-facing role in higher education, whether you are experienced or newly appointed. It is designed to develop your career in higher education, both in terms of effectiveness in your role and your career progression.


Graduate View
Nicole Warwick

'I would recommend this course to anyone who teaches or delivers any type of training to students or staff. I was encouraged to trial different methods of delivery, while reflecting on successes and failures. I now think differently about the whole process of running training sessions.'

Nicole Warwick, UAPC Higher Education Practice, 2018 graduate

How you learn

The course is led by academic staff from the Sheffield Institute of Education. You learn through lectures, including some by visiting professionals, an observation of your professional practice, one-to-one support and feedback tailored to your area of practice.

Course leaders and tutors

Sarah Rawding
Sarah Rawding
Senior Lecturer In Early Years

My main teaching interests are focused on the holistic development of children within the early years and supporting practitioners to become confident and reflective … Read more


Future careers

This course helps you develop your career in higher education, both in terms of effectiveness in your role and your career progression.After completing this course, you may wish to progress onto the PgCert, PgDip and/or MA in Education. Completing the full postgraduate certificate leads to Fellowship of the HEA, equating to descriptor of the UK Professional Standards Framework.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

All students

A UK honours degree (or equivalent) and 15 hours of student contact / work supporting students, teaching and / or learning over the duration of the course (confirmed by applicant's line manager).

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with 6.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Introduction To Teaching In Higher Education
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £1,935 for the course.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £2,955 for the course.

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Education (PDF, 255.8KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

Complete an application form to apply for this course.

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Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Facilities

Study at Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), one of the country's largest providers of teacher training

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Outstanding

We are rated Ofsted outstanding for all initial teacher training courses, across all age phases (March 2024).

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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Come to an open day

You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

Learn more

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