Understanding Fellowship Requirements
All levels of Fellowship are achieved by demonstrating how your practice in teaching and/or supporting learning in HE meets the criteria laid out within the Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023) which consists of two components: Descriptors and Dimensions.
There are different routes to achieve different levels of Fellowship, with a reflective practice route available for all of them and a taught approach available for some groups of staff for Associate Fellowship and Fellowship. You can find out more about routes on the page for each level (accessed from the menu on the left).
Descriptors
The Descriptors are a set of criteria statements. These define the key characteristics of four broad categories of practice as above (D1- D4). Incorporating the Dimensions, each Descriptor identifies the extent of practice required to meet it and recognises the variety of practice and roles undertaken by professionals who teach and/or support learning. Each Descriptor consists of an introduction and a set of three criteria statements, which are detailed in the pages for Associate Fellowship, Fellowship, Senior Fellowship and Principal Fellowship.
Dimensions
The Dimensions of the Framework are arranged as three related sets of five Professional Values, five forms of Core Knowledge and five Areas of Activity. The Dimensions are the same across all levels of Fellowship.
- Professional Values (V1-5): underpin all forms of Core Knowledge and Areas of Activity. They are the foundation of professional practice.
- Core Knowledge (K1-5): informed by the Professional Values, representing key forms of knowledge required to undertake the Areas of Activity. There are multiple and diverse forms of knowledge which are connected to and shaped by communities and contexts.
- Areas of Activity (A1-5): bring together the Professional Values and forms of Core Knowledge, showing the essential activities that support delivery of effective practice.
Professional Values
In your context, show how you:
V1 - respect individual learners and diverse groups of learners.
V2 - promote engagement in learning and equity of opportunity for all to reach their potential.
V3 - use scholarship, or research, or professional learning, or other evidence-informed approaches as a basis for effective practice.
V4 - respond to the wider context in which higher education operates, recognising implications for practice.
V5 - collaborate with others to enhance practice.
Core Knowledge
In your context, apply knowledge of:
K1 - how learners learn, generally and within specific subjects.
K2 - approaches to teaching and/or supporting learning, appropriate for subjects and level of study.
K3 - critical evaluation as a basis for effective practice.
K4 - appropriate use of digital and/or other technologies, and resources for learning.
K5 - requirements for quality assurance and enhancement, and their implications for practice.
Areas of Activity
In your context, demonstrate that you:
A1 - design and plan learning activities and/or programmes.
A2 - teach and/or support learning through appropriate approaches and environments.
A3 - assess and give feedback for learning.
A4 - support and guide learners.
A5 - enhance practice through own continuing professional development.