Professional practice and development
At Bradford, we are committed to supporting the development of those involved in teaching and the support of learning.
Bradford:Fellowships
Our Bradford:Fellowships Scheme, which is accredited by AdvanceHE and aligned to the UK Professional Standard Framework (UKPSF), is an innovative, accessible and sustainable model which offers a holistic, whole-career framework of professional development to enhance the quality of educational practice across the University.
B:F is structured to introduce the fundamentals of teaching and learning to postgraduates and educators new to the profession, and add progressively more scaffolding and support for senior academics seeking AdvanceHE Fellowship at D1-D4 level - Associate Fellowship to Principal Fellowship.
Integrated into the scheme are our Bradford Teaching Fellow awards, recognising excellent teaching practice and supporting entry into the prestigious National Teaching Fellow and Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence awards.
We offer three pathways through the scheme for all University educators based on their experience, from postgraduates involved in teaching/learning support activity through to senior fellows:
- Graduate Pathway - providing a foundation for postgraduates with an interest in pursuing a learning and teaching role within Higher Education.
- Taught Pathway - supporting participants to develop evidence-informed approaches to learning, teaching and assessment that are appropriate for and enhance the learning experiences of diverse student populations in different HE contexts.
- Experienced Pathway - supporting participants, via a scheme mentor, to reflect on and draw evidence from their day to day practice, engaging with online resources and LTSE's Professional Practice Programme as appropriate.
While there is no obligation to be involved in teaching or learning support as a postgraduate student, postgraduates who do take on teaching responsibilities make an incredibly valuable contribution to the educational experience of our students.
Through the Bradford:Fellowships programme, the University provides a foundation for postgraduates with an interest in pursuing a learning and teaching role within Higher Education, such as a:
- Demonstrator
- Tutorial Assistant
- Teaching Assistant
- Seminar Leader
- Assessor
Through a series of online learning activities, the Graduate Fellow pathway focus is on UKPSF Core Knowledge and will help participants gain evidence and experience towards further AdvanceHE fellowship opportunities. Completion of the Graduate Fellow pathway does not lead to AdvanceHE accreditation in itself.
When postgraduate students teach, they are members of staff, with all the rights and obligations that come with this.
Completion of the Graduate Fellow pathway is a pre-requisite for being issued with a Bradford contract.
The Bradford:Fellowships Scheme has up to 3 intakes a year, normally in January (registration deadline in November), May (registration deadline in March) and September (registration deadline in July).
Further information about the Scheme, including who is eligible to participate, what’s involved and how you can register, is available on the LTSE Intranet Site (Login required).
For further information about the Bradford:Fellowships Scheme, the University's approach to supporting the development of those involved in teaching, or the support of learning more generally, please email the Bradford Fellowships administration with your query.
Managing of learning and pastoral support
As a student or member of staff at Bradford, you will come across people with the following roles:
- Personal Academic Tutor
- Module Leader
- Programme Leader
LTSE works to support the training and development of these roles. We promote the academic workload model and facilitate resources and forums for the academics whose work in these roles is so valuable to the Team Bradford student experience. More information about these elements is available on our SharePoint site (login required).
For students, Module and Programme Handbooks show who is responsible for your teaching and learning as well as the external examiner providing outside assurance. Don't forget to check the Supporting your Learning at Bradford (login required) Canvas course for extra guidance as well. LTSE produce some resources (login required) to help you get the most out of your Personal Academic Tutor.
Recording of Educational Activities Policy
This policy governs the production, storage and use of recorded lectures (and other educational activities and materials) via Lecture Capture processes and platforms. It aims to ensure that the recording and storage of educational activities and resources are conducted responsibly and consistently and that all parties are clear on their roles and responsibilities with regards to its use.
If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact our team. You can also read our Website Accessibility Statement.
Our students' academic experience
Students are essential in helping the University continually develop its learning & teaching environment and practices and we are committed to working in partnership with our students to enhance the academic experience at Bradford.
Students contribute to the continual improvement of the University from the moment they start their studies. The dedicated Student Experience and Success team (SharePoint) work with staff and students across the institution, conduct research and evaluation and provide specialist advice, activities and schemes for students and staff.
Through the Students' Union Officers and through Faculty Representatives (UnionCloud), students are represented on all the University "top tier" committees such as the Learning and Teaching Committee, the Senate, and the Council. Working towards a culture of genuine partnership and co-creation, students can scrutinise all of the business of the University of Bradford that affects their learning and their student experience.
Students can also volunteer or apply for specific roles and opportunities to enhance learning, teaching, and student experience at the University, such as being on programme validation panels to improve our courses, mentoring other students to boost confidence or becoming Student Ambassadors to represent the University. Many of these are "HEARable" - they can form an important and useful contribution to the Higher Education Achievement Record, a nationally transferable system to keep track of extracurricular student enhancement. Here are some of other the ways students feed into the enhancement of their academic experience:
University
- Giving feedback on University services as a user and customer
- Focus groups, interviews, and other research events
- Student-led meetings
- Listening events, and other opportunities for student/staff discussion
- Personal Academic Tutor
- Programme approval and review feedback
- Longitudinal surveys such the Bradford Student Survey and National Student Survey
- Group surveys such as module evaluations
- Voting for awards
- Becoming a Graduate Fellow through Bradford:Fellowships
Students' Union
- Voting for awards, for student reps and in other student elections and referendums
- Becoming a programme or Faculty Representative
- Take part in Student Staff Liaison Committees as a rep or by giving feedback to your rep
- Becoming a Students' Union officer or delegate.
- Student-led meetings
- Contribute ideas in discussions or forums
- Attend or be a member of UBU Forums
- Attend or be a member of UBU Council
- Attend and be a member of UBU Sports and Societies
- Getting involved in other Students' Union activities and initiatives