Advance HE Fellowship @USW

Advance HE award four categories of fellowship that recognise your role in teaching and/or supporting higher education learning:

•  Associate Fellow (AFHEA);
•  Fellow (FHEA);
•  Senior Fellow (SFHEA); and
•  Principal Fellow (PFHEA)

These four categories reflect the wide range of professional practice carried out by individuals who teach and/or support learning in higher education; from those who have a partial role in teaching/supporting learning through to senior professionals with strategic impact on teaching and learning in an organisational, national and/or international setting.

The four categories of fellowship are awarded on the basis of evidence of personal professional practice which meets the requirements of one of the four descriptors of the Professional Standards Framework 2023 (PSF). The PSF has been developed as a standards framework to enable those who teach and/or support higher education learning to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and behaviours within the higher education sector.

Aims of the Framework

• To support the initial and continuing professional development of staff engaged in teaching and supporting learning.
• To foster dynamic approaches to teaching and learning through creativity, innovation and continuous development in diverse academic and/or professional settings.
• To demonstrate to students and other stakeholders the professionalism that staff and institutions bring to teaching and support for student learning.
• To acknowledge the variety and quality of teaching, learning and assessment practices that support and underpin student learning.
• To facilitate individuals and institutions in gaining formal recognition for quality-enhanced approaches to teaching and supporting learning, often as part of wider responsibilities that may include research and/or management activities.

Fellowships are awarded on the basis of a successful and effective demonstration of one of the four PSF Descriptors. In deciding which category of Fellowship to apply for at this stage in your career, you will need to determine which of the four Descriptors of the PSF is most appropriate to your practice and professional experience.

Associate Fellow (AFHEA)

If you are able to provide evidence of effectiveness in relation to your professional role which will typically include at least some teaching and/or learning support responsibilities. By applying for Associate Fellowship you will present an understanding of specific aspects of effective teaching, learning support methods and student learning.

Fellow (FHEA)

If you are able to provide evidence of broadly based effectiveness in more substantive teaching and supporting learning roles, and can demonstrate a broad understanding of effective approaches to learning and teaching support as a key contribution to high quality student learning.

Senior Fellow (SFHEA)

If you can demonstrate a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning. You may be an experienced member of staff able to demonstrate impact and influence on other colleagues through, for example, responsibility for leading, managing or organising programmes, subjects and/or disciplinary areas.

Principal Fellow (PFHEA)

If you can demonstrate a sustained record of effective strategic leadership in academic practice and development and you are highly experienced with wide-ranging strategic leadership responsibilities in connection with key aspects of teaching and supporting learning.

Which category of Fellowship should I apply for?

Please use the PSF Fellowship Category Tool to help you decide which category to apply for.

How can CELT support you with your fellowship application?

A comprehensive development framework is available to support you in preparing for your fellowship claim.

For further information please contact:

[email protected]