Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Learning and Teaching

Summary

Develop your learning and teaching skills with our professional development qualifications.

Enhance your tertiary teaching career

Our Higher Education Learning and Teaching programmes help you develop your skills and enhance the learning experience in your courses. You’ll follow a flexible, modular approach that connects to the teaching work you already do—so you can participate without adding significantly to your workload.

The two programmes are offered by the Centre for Academic Development (CAD). If you are a permanent staff member who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington covers your course fees. You’ll still need to pay the student levy.

PhD candidates are also welcome to enrol, and you may be able to use relevant coursework toward your PhD allocation. Enrolments from outside the University are welcome too.

Higher Education Learning and Teaching qualifications Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (PGCertHELT)

The PGCertHELT is a 60-point postgraduate qualification for teachers in higher education. It’s designed to help both new and experienced tertiary-level teaching staff.

You’ll learn key higher education theories. You’ll also use reflective practice to improve learning, teaching, and curriculum design.

The PGCertHELT supports professional development in teaching. It can improve your employability in countries where professional teaching qualifications are required.

Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (PGDipHELT)

The PGDipHELT builds on the PGCertHELT by going deeper into the theory and practice of learning and teaching.

How you’ll learn

You’ll be able to take HELT courses at your own pace. You can take one course per trimester over four or five years. Or you can finish the PGCertHELT in two years, if you take two to three courses each trimester.

Courses are offered in various formats, including:

• in-person active learning spread over six weeks
• intensive block courses with all sessions in one week
• online-only self-directed learning.

All the courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

If you are interested in cohort-based experiences, email CAD-contact@vuw.ac.nz. CAD can arrange customised course offerings for groups of eight or more—ideal for teams who are developing new programmes or courses, or who want to learn together.

What you'll learn in the Certificate

You’ll complete six core courses that include:

• theories of teaching
• how students learn
• giving and receiving feedback
• what it means to teach in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our courses will enhance your knowledge about teaching and learning. You’ll gain practical insights that you can use immediately in your own teaching.

Programme and Course Design (HELT 533)

In HELT 533, you’ll learn about evidence-based practice for course design. You’ll get hands-on support from CAD experts and your peers. You’ll finish with a (re)designed course and five points towards a postgraduate qualification.

Portfolios for Professional Practice (HELT 539)

Once you’ve completed the six core courses, you will take this 15-point portfolio course. You’ll reflect on your learning and map a way forward for your future learning. This portfolio course aligns with CAD's Te Arawai Ako—Pathway to Learning and Teaching Fellowship programme. It’ll prepare you to apply for professional recognition—for example, a fellowship accredited by Advance HE.

Elective courses

The 15 points required to finish the qualification can be made up of three more 5-point courses. These will vary each trimester, and include topics such as:

• developing a teaching philosophy
• Mātauranga Māori in teaching
• assessment design in the AI era
• effective communication for teaching.

You may be able to credit a relevant 15-point postgraduate course from another qualification towards your PGCertHELT.

Further study in the Diploma

In the PGDipHELT, you'll complete all the courses from the Certificate. You’ll also critically examine educational research methodologies and practices. You may undertake an independent research investigation of a learning or teaching question.