As a postgraduate research (PGR) student supporting teaching, can I earn an Higher Education teaching qualification?

If you are a postgraduate research (PGR) student involved in teaching, you may be able to undertake the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE) or the Associate or full Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) Pathway.
Both of these programmes are taught together and are delivered by academics from the Surrey Institute of Education, with occasional support from other colleagues working across Surrey University. They are designed to develop participants’ knowledge, skills and understanding of learning and teaching in higher education, alongside their own teaching practice.
The AFHEA Pathway runs for 9 months and requires a minimum of 2 to 3 hours of teaching over the programme. Successful completion leads to Associate Fellowship (AFHEA).
The PGCLTHE runs for 18 months and requires a minimum of 10 hours of teaching over the programme. Successful completion leads to Fellowship (FHEA) Postgraduate Certificate worth 60 M-level credits.
PGR students normally commence on the AFHEA Pathway. Those who engage well and have the appropriate teaching experience may be able to progress to the PGCLTHE route. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Both programmes begin in January and include a three-month break from July to September.

The programmes are available to academic staff and PGRs involved in teaching. Staff are given priority for places, and a waiting list operates for PGRs.

You can view more information around the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE) or the AFHEA Pathway.