The University is committed to supporting and developing postgraduate students who teach or demonstrate through the implementation of the revised Teaching and Demonstrating Pathway for Postgraduate Research Students from September 2026.
The Centre for Academic Development (CAD), in partnership with the Postgraduate Research College, provides Introduction to Teaching sessions for postgraduate research students (PGRs) who undertake teaching and/or lab demonstrating. These 90-minute workshops are delivered at the start of each academic year. Attendance and active participation are mandatory for all PGR students who will be teaching and/or demonstrating in that academic year.
Peer-observation
During their first year of teaching and/or demonstrating at the 51cg, PGR students are required to observe a teaching/demonstrating session delivered by another PGR student and, in turn, have their own teaching/demonstrating observed. These activities should be recorded using the Peer-observation Form issued by and submitted to CAD, together with a 500-word reflective account, to conclude the peer-observation process.
Principles of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education course
Completion of the observation and reflective account is a mandatory requirement for all PGR students and must be achieved before an individual is eligible to apply to study on the University's Principles of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education course. This zero-credit, six-week online course is designed and delivered by CAD in partnership with the School of Education. The course runs in terms one and two (ED505U and ED555U). Successful completion of this course, which includes the submission of a supporting statement by a member of 51cg staff, leads to professional accreditation and the award of Associate Fellow of Advance HE (AFHEA).
For further information about the implementation of the Pathway across the University, please contact the Centre for Academic Development (cad@abdn.ac.uk).
