GTA:Advance HE Fellowship Scheme for Graduate Teaching Assistants
TL;DR
The University of Manchester offers Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) the opportunity to gain formal recognition for their teaching through the Advance HE Fellowship Scheme. This nationally recognised qualification provides professional accreditation based on the Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023) and is available free of charge to University employees.
GTAs who complete the required training modules are issued with a certificate that enables them to apply for Advance HE Fellowship recognition. This scheme represents an excellent opportunity to build a teaching portfolio and gain formal acknowledgement of teaching expertise, which is particularly valuable for those considering careers in academia.
Benefits of the Scheme
Achieving Advance HE Fellowship provides significant professional recognition through a nationally recognised qualification that formally acknowledges your teaching expertise. This credential demonstrates your commitment to professional development in teaching and provides tangible evidence of your competence as an educator. For those pursuing academic careers, fellowship status has become an essential credential, significantly enhancing employability in higher education and providing robust evidence of teaching competence for future job applications.
One of the most significant advantages for University of Manchester GTAs is that the scheme is entirely free for University employees, whereas private registration through Advance HE costs approximately £279–£585 depending on the level sought. This represents substantial financial savings whilst providing exactly the same nationally recognised qualification.
Throughout the fellowship journey, you will benefit from structured mentoring provided by experienced fellowship holders who understand the application process intimately. You will have access to comprehensive development workshops and resources, creating valuable networking opportunities with other GTAs who are developing their teaching practice. The process also provides constructive feedback on your teaching, helping you to refine and enhance your pedagogical approach.
The fellowship application process itself serves as a powerful professional development tool, offering you the opportunity to reflect deeply on and articulate your teaching philosophy. You will develop a comprehensive teaching portfolio that can be used for future career applications, whilst building an evidence base that can support applications for higher levels of fellowship as your career progresses. This reflective practice helps you to become more intentional and effective in your teaching, ultimately benefiting both your professional development and the students you teach.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scheme, you must:
- Be a registered Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Manchester
- Be teaching and/or supporting learning on University Higher Education programmes
- Have completed the mandatory GTA training modules required by your Faculty
- Have gained sufficient teaching experience to demonstrate competence against the relevant PSF descriptor
How to Apply
Step 1: Register on the Portal
Register through the University's Training & Development portal for the course FSESS8210 Introduction to Accreditation Workshop for GTAs:
Registration portal: Training & Development Profile
Step 2: Complete Prerequisites
Before attending the introductory session, you must:
- Complete the online resource "Developing your application for Associate Fellow" or "Developing your application for Fellow" available on Canvas (course code: CPD-DSE-SAS-TLD-AdvanceHE-01)
- Familiarise yourself with the Professional Standards Framework (PSF)
- Understand the application requirements for your chosen level (Associate Fellow D1 or Fellow D2)
Step 3: Attend Development Sessions
You will attend 3–4 development sessions delivered by the University's Advance HE team, which cover:
- Discussion of the PSF dimensions and descriptors
- Identification of appropriate evidence
- Guidance on writing reflective case studies
- Support in selecting between Associate Fellow (D1) and Fellow (D2) levels
- Introduction to the mentoring process
Step 4: Work with Your Mentor
Following the introductory sessions, you will be allocated to a mentor who holds an appropriate level of fellowship to support your application. Your mentor will:
- Contact you with session times and locations
- Provide guidance on developing your application
- Review drafts and offer feedback
- Support you through the submission process
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Applications are submitted through the University portal (Canvas). The application consists of a reflective account of your teaching practice that evidences how you meet the relevant descriptor of the Professional Standards Framework 2023.
Timeline
The scheme operates on two rounds per year:
- Round 1: Commences in January
- Round 2: Commences in September
Each round typically involves:
- Weeks 1–4: Introductory sessions and online resource completion
- Weeks 5–12: Mentoring sessions and application development
- Week 12–14: Final submission and review
Contact and Further Information
Email: ahe-fellowship@manchester.ac.uk
University Resources:
External Resources:
Programme Leads:
Dr Tom Rodgers
Reader in Chemical Engineering Education
Principal Fellow of the HEA
Tom.Rodgers@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Claudia Henninger
Reader in Fashion Marketing and Management
Senior Fellow of the HEA
Claudia.Henninger@manchester.ac.uk
Assessment Requirements
To achieve Associate Fellow or Fellow status, you must produce a reflective account that:
- Demonstrates how you meet the relevant PSF descriptor
- Includes evidence from your teaching practice
- Reflects critically on your development as a teacher
- Is supported by case studies that illustrate your approach
The University team and your mentor will provide detailed guidance on these requirements throughout the programme.
Note: Advance HE Fellowship is distinct from the mandatory GTA training. Whilst GTA training is required before undertaking teaching duties, the fellowship scheme is an optional professional development opportunity that recognises and accredits your teaching expertise.