Teaching Foundations: RPL Module Stream

The Teaching Foundations RPL module provides a brief overview of the Teaching Foundations course, the Professional Standards Framework and key learning materials. It focuses on introducing the assessment task and giving you an opportunity to connect with other participants.

What will the RPL Module lead to?

After successfully completing the Teaching Foundations RPL Module, you will have:   

• a knowledge base in curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy combined with insight into the UQ policy context, educational technologies, and teaching support available;
• a strong evidence-base to support your future career aspirations including a peer observation report, samples of student evaluation, and a portfolio of lesson plans, innovative teaching practices and learning resources;
• a teaching philosophy statement demonstrating how you creatively connect curriculum, assessment and pedagogy to foster active participation and learning in your disciplinary and teaching context;
• a set of teaching goals with associated activities and indicators to evidence progress of educational goals that align with the UQ APD annual process; and 
• recognition as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

UQ staff who have substantial teaching experience who wish to engage with the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice.

2025 Schedule

Assessment

You will compile a teaching portfolio comprising three tasks (listed below) each focusing on different areas of your learning and teaching practice. If you have previously completed Teaching@UQ or the GTA program, you may draw on relevant materials developed in those programs.

Assessment Tasks:

1. Teaching context and philosophy 
2. Endorsement of practice
3. Reflection on practice

2026 Schedule

Assessment

You will compile a teaching portfolio comprising three tasks (listed below) each focusing on different areas of your learning and teaching practice. If you have previously completed Teaching@UQ or the GTA program, you may draw on relevant materials developed in those programs.

Assessment Tasks: 

1. Teaching context and philosophy 
2. Endorsement of practice
3. Reflection on practice

In addition to a 2-hour workshop (conducted in-person or online) you can expect to need to commit approximately 20 hours to complete all the assessment activities and engage with the readings and course materials.

Upon successful completion, you will:

• Be awarded the Teaching Foundations Certificate.
• Become an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), a mark of professional recognition that enhances your teaching career globally.
• Join a community of over 190,000 educators worldwide who hold Fellowship status with Advance HE.
• Be invited to apply for admission to the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice (eligibility criteria apply).

The RPL module has been developed in the context of UQ’s policies and the Academic Annual Performance Development (APD) process, so will also support you to develop your career in higher education. 

Successful completion of the RPL module involves active participation in online activities, undertaking workshops (with peer feedback) and passing summative assessment tasks. 

Your pathway to the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice

Participants who successfully complete the RPL module will be invited to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice.

You will receive credit for Teaching Foundations (EDHE6001), the first course in the Graduate Certificate, and be on your way to earning the full qualification.

To be eligible for the RPL module, you must:

1. hold a minimum of an undergraduate degree from any institution
2. be a UQ employee with a teaching position or appointment that supports learning, with approximately 20 contact hours across a whole semester. This appointment could be in a casual or continuing, full-time or part-time, academic or professional capacity
3. be able to attend the 2-hour workshop
4. have support from your line manager to participate in the course
5. be able to facilitate a teaching activity during the course*
6. acknowledge that successful completion of the course requires an observation of your teaching practice by an expert educator, and that it is your responsibility to identify and approach a suitable observer; and
7. Meet one of the following criteria:
   • a. have over five years of substantive teaching experience at UQ, including course coordination, or
   • b. are an experienced academic at Level C or D with teaching responsibilities, or
   • c. have a HEA Fellowship (AFHEA, FHEA, SFHEA, PFHEA), or 
   • d. have completed the Teaching@UQ or GTA program in 2023/2024.

(Note: Applicants applying under criterion 7a must demonstrate they have had sustained responsibility for curriculum structure and content over the required period. Given the nature of casual appointments, meeting this criterion may be less common; however, all applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. If an application does not sufficiently demonstrate this level of responsibility, applicants may be redirected to Teaching@UQ or Coordinating@UQ.)

*To successfully complete the course, you must be able to facilitate a teaching activity during the course as it is required for assessment. This could be a tutorial, lecture, lunchtime education session, PhD supervision session, lab induction, student supervision etc. 

Eligibility criteria may expand in future rounds to include other aspects. 

RPL Module March 2026: Apply by completing the online application form by 5pm 13 February 2026. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application the week commencing 9 March 2026. 

RPL Module September 2026: Applications will open in May 2026. To register your interest, please email professional.learning@uq.edu.au.  

If you have any questions regarding your suitability or any other aspects of your application, please email professional.learning@uq.edu.au or register for a 1:1 consultation.