Teaching Foundations: LD@UQ Stream

LD@UQ is designed to support staff in developing their learning design practice at UQ. The course combines modules, activities and conversations with an experienced Thought Partner to help participants connect ideas, apply frameworks, and grow their practice.

Course components

Your journey through LD@UQ comprises 4 interconnected components:

Thought Partner

Participants are paired with an experienced UQ Learning Designer who acts as a Thought Partner throughout the course. They will:

• help plan your journey through the course
• connect you with colleagues and resources
• discuss modules and activities
• provide formative conversations about your assessment.

This collegial partnership is central to LD@UQ, providing someone to think and reflect with, and draw on as you shape your practice.

Modules

You will explore key concepts, theories, principles, frameworks and approaches used in teaching and learning at UQ. With guidance from your Thought Partner, participants will select the elements most relevant to their context and practice.

Activities

During the course you'll engage in practical tasks designed to explore, connect and experience learning design at UQ. These activities help consolidate understanding and allow participants to apply what they are learning in meaningful ways.

Assessment

You'll be required to complete 3 assessment tasks that synthesise your learning from the course. Formative discussions with your Thought Partner will support the development of ideas and approaches in preparation for submission.

The assessment tasks are: 

• Teaching context and philosophy statement
• Peer observation
• Critical reflection on practice

What will LD@UQ lead to?

After successfully completing LD@UQ, 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, a collection of materials to showcase your teaching support practices and innovative learning designs
• a teaching philosophy statement demonstrating how you creatively connect curriculum, assessment and pedagogy to foster active participation and learning in your teaching or learning support context
• a set of goals with associated activities and indicators to evidence progress of educational goals that align with the UQ APD annual process
• an opportunity to gain recognition as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

LD@UQ is designed for staff involved in learning design at UQ, supporting both newcomers and those looking to extend their skills and practice in the higher education context. This includes:

• staff new to a learning design role or role with responsibilities supporting teaching and designing learning (e.g. academic skills adviser, educational designer etc.)
• experienced learning designers (or similar) seeking to improve their practice and potentially engage with the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice.

LD@UQ offers a flexible and personalised approach to developing your learning design practice. There is no set schedule – instead, participants:

1. Submit an application to join the course.
2. If accepted, are paired with an experienced Thought Partner.
3. Meet with their Thought Partner to map out the modules and activities they will engage in, including target dates.
4. Work towards one of 5 scheduled assessment submission deadlines for 2026 to formally complete the course.

This flexibility allows participants to progress at their own pace. If a targeted assessment deadline passes, participants simply aim for the next one, ensuring they can continue their learning without being constrained by a fixed timetable.

2026 assessment deadlines

• 5pm, 1 May 2026
• 5pm, 3 July 2026
• 5pm, 2 October 2026
• 5pm, 30 October 2026
• 5pm, 4 December 2026

LD@UQ is free to eligible UQ staff.

It's recommended you set aside between 3–10 hours per week to complete independent study which includes readings, preparatory work, online modules and assignments.

If you have planned long overseas absences or are in the final stages of thesis write-up, we recommend that you complete LD@UQ at another time.

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 or learning support 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).

LD@UQ 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 LD@UQ involves active participation in learning activities, readings, discussions, reflection and passing summative assessment tasks.

Your pathway to the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice

Participants who successfully complete LD@UQ will be invited to apply for admission to the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice (eligibility criteria apply, including a requirement to be employed at UQ with teaching and/or teaching and learning support responsibilities for the duration of the program).

If admitted, 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 you must:

• be employed by UQ in a learning design role, or a role with learning design responsibilities
• hold a minimum of an undergraduate degree from any institution
• be able to engage with your Thought Partner through meetings or check-ins at agreed intervals
• have between 3–10 hours per week to study
• have support from your line manager to participate in the course
• acknowledge the requirement to source an experienced colleague to observe your learning support practice as part of the course
• have the opportunity to design, develop, implement and evaluate an education activity during the course. This could be a knowledge or skill-sharing exercise with a colleague, facilitation of a workshop, or the design and development of a unique learning object that you share for feedback.

If you do not meet all eligibility criteria, your application may not be approved.
 

Applications are open now for commencement in January 2026.

LD@UQ has a rolling application process. Submit your application by the last Friday of the month to commence the following month. You will be notified of the outcome of your application within a fortnight.

Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee a place in the course. Applications are assessed, and successful applicants will be paired with a Thought Partner to plan their learning journey.
 

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