Academic Professional Programme (APP)

The programme is for any member of staff at the University of Exeter for whom teaching, and research or scholarship are the primary aspects of their role, and for whom it would be appropriate continuing professional development. Most participants on the programme are F grade Lecturers.

As a guide: in order to meet the requirements of the professional standards with which the programme is aligned, a participant would usually be involved with at least 100 hours of teaching and other education-practice related activities per year.

The norm for new E&R and E&S F grade Lecturers is to undertake the Academic Professional Programme. As a credit-bearing programme (60-credit PG Cert in Academic Practice), applications for accreditation of prior learning can be considered for APP (either certified or experiential learning).

There is also an APP exemption form for anyone who would like to apply to be exempt from taking the programme entirely. It is for the Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor in the relevant Faculty (or their nominee) to decide whether this is appropriate, based on the content of a Programme Exemption Form.

Typical reasons for exemptions are:

1. A certificate for Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
2. Evidence of certification of an equivalent qualification from another higher education institution, which should be at least 60 credits at Level 7.
3. There is an alternative, more suitable CPD programme recommended (e.g. coaching and mentoring apprenticeship for DA Academic Mentors).

If exemption is approved, the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice or HEA Fellowship will not be awarded  (i.e. exemption does not confer a HESA-recognised qualification or accreditation). Therefore, colleagues who are exempt from the programme, but who do not already hold Fellowship of the HEA, may be required by their Faculty to apply for HEA Fellowship through Exeter’s ASPIRE Professional Recognition Pathway. 

 Colleagues considering seeking exemption should request a programme exemption form from the Academic Professional Administrator.

In terms of qualification and recognition, successful completion of the programme leads to:

• A 60-credit level 7 qualification called a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice,
• Full HEA Fellowship (Descriptor 2) from Advance HE (FHEA).
• Fellowship of Exeter’s EduExe Framework.

Participants successfully completing the apprenticeship version of the programme will also receive a certificate for the end-point assessment.

We have a dedicated email address for both internal and external enquiries: academicprofessional@exeter.ac.uk.