Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice

Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice

Summary

Study level
Award
Part time
9 months+
Location
Online

What makes Arden University special?

Education
Education for everyone, everywhere
Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
Where to study
You decide how and where to study
We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
Support
Full support both online and on-site
We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
Employability
Strong focus on employability
You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

Arden University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice is an innovative new course designed to support anyone working in education in redefining their teaching philosophy and practice for today’s post-pandemic, hybrid digital world. The course offers practical insight into emerging technologies as well as the opportunity to create a portfolio of digital tools that best suit your individual teaching requirements and ambitions.

The course will enable you to challenge, reflect upon, and enhance your use of digital artefacts in your approach to teaching, helping you bring your teaching methodologies and practices into the modern world. You’ll cover a wide range of theoretical perspectives on digital pedagogy and have the opportunity to apply your learning to your own areas of educational interests and professional practice. With its focus on contemporary digital education and lesson design, highly interactive teaching and learning strategy, constructive peer and tutor feedback, and lifelong learning, the course will allow you to critically analyse, create, and implement digital teaching resources in a safe and enriching environment.

Arden University are pioneers in online education, and this course is delivered by an academic team who have a breadth of experience in digital pedagogy and are thought leaders in their sectors. With their help, you’ll learn how to effectively integrate digital tools to enhance your teaching approach and learning outcomes. The hands-on, developmental nature of the course ensures that the knowledge and skills you gain will immediately strengthen your professional practice and profile, irrespective of your geographical location. And - because transforming the world of digital education is one of our core tenets here at Arden, we even offer this course to our own staff to further their skills development. That means you’ll be studying the course with some of our very own tutors.

Why choose Arden
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Career development resources
You'll have online access to a huge range of career development tools from the day you start studying.
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Career development resources
You'll have online access to a huge range of career development tools from the day you start studying.
Learn more

Course details and modules

Your course consists of three modules, in which digital pedagogies will be introduced, put into practice, and then reflected upon. After learning the theoretical basis behind digital pedagogical principles, you will have the opportunity to critically analyse your practice and apply your learning in real time. Through this, you will develop the ability to effectively apply digital tools to your teaching and to enhance your overall digital teaching practice. You’ll also learn to recognise teaching best practices, and identify when digital versus traditional teaching is the best course of action in different contexts. Throughout the course, our supportive learning environment will encourage experimentation and innovation as well as provide regular constructive feedback from your peers and tutors.
Bettina Finna

Arden is for winners. Nobody will beg you to sit down and start working on your career, if you don’t do it yourself! At Arden, if you have an honest interest for what you learn and you want to reach out for more, you will be welcomed, helped, and advised. But to do that, you must be determined.

Bettina Finna
BSc (Hons) Psychology

Modules

These modules are delivered sequentially so that each one builds on the knowledge gained in the previous. You will only be able to study one module at a time.

  • Introduction to Digital Pedagogies (20 credits)
  • Digital Pedagogies in Practice (20 credits)
  • Critical Reflection on Digital Pedagogies (20 credits)

Authentic assessments. No exams.

Unlike on more traditional degree programmes, you won’t be sitting any exams on this Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice. Instead, the course utilises authentic, real-world assessments that are fit to your individual needs. This way, you can put your learning into practice immediately and develop your digital capabilities within the context of your own subject, helping you gain practical employability skills you can transfer to your future role.

Study options

Toby Bradley

It’s a great way to study if you’re looking for flexibility. It was challenging to balance a full-time job with my degree but once I was in a routine, it was much easier to manage everything. Online learning has actually helped me become very good with time management and given me the ability to prioritise tasks.

Toby Bradley
BA (Hons) Business & Accountancy

Online learning

How does it work?

Studying this course online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location. 

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud.  ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. You’ll also have access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice, you should normally have:

  • A UK degree with second class honours or above (or equivalent).
  • Current employment in a teaching post in education or in a post which supports students’ learning and development (e.g. lecturer, assistant lecturer, Academic skills tutor, learning designer, learning technologist, student support).
  • Applicants who do not possess degree equivalent qualifications may be considered if they can demonstrate substantial relevant experience (typically 3 years, supported by references) in higher education roles, with current employment in a post which supports students’ learning and development.

English proficiency

  • English language ability equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element), where the language of undergraduate study was not English.
  • Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Course fees and funding

Find your country

Use the dropdown above to find course fees and funding information for your country. If you can’t find information for your country in the dropdown, visit our International support page.

Meet the faculty

Elizabeth Ellis

Elizabeth has worked within the Higher Education sector for more than 10 years, having started her career as a journalist and sub-editor. She worked as an editor and product development manager within Professional Services at The Open University, developing digital learning experiences for OU students as well as OpenLearn and FutureLearn.

She has a passion for critical digital pedagogy and is a champion for student centered design for digital learning. She received her Bachelor of Journalism from Rhodes University in 2003, her MA in Online and Distance Education from the OU in 2018 and has achieved Senior Fellow status of the HEA.

Elizabeth Ellis
Head of School

Career prospects

The highly engaging course sets you up with the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and evaluate digital teaching approaches pivoted towards today’s increasingly online world. You’ll also have the chance to apply your learning to your individual areas of interest immediately, helping you develop and refine your professional practice while extending your professional network.

What will the Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice do for me?

In response to today’s online world, and with the acceleration of the use of online environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, there is currently a growing skills gap in digital education. You’ll graduate from this course with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to excel in the hybrid future of the education sector, including the ability to:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of contemporary digital education issues.
  • Critically evaluate, reflect upon, and enhance your own teaching practice, including knowing when digital pedagogy is the best approach.
  • Assess and fill gaps in your professional portfolio in relation to digital teaching technologies.
  • Effectively synthesise and implement different teaching approaches and digital tools to improve learning outcomes.
  • Demonstrate a modern and forward-looking approach to education by embracing the digital tools at use today.

What can I do after Arden University?

This course is perfect for anyone working in education who is interested in learning more about digital teaching and further developing their practice. This includes early career academics, those working in higher education, or career changers aspiring to transition from one area of academia or education to another.

 

Industry skills

This programme is aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF), a comprehensive set of professional standards and guidelines for everyone involved in teaching and supporting learning in higher education. The PSF is the gold standard for all higher education teaching in the UK, ensuring your learning meets the highest industry standards.

Advance HE is a member-led, sector-owned charity that works with higher education institutions in the UK and across the world to improve higher education for staff, students, and society. One of the most important ways in which it does this is through awarding Fellowships. Advance HE award four different categories of Fellowship, which demonstrate a personal and institutional commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education. On successful completion of our Advance HE accredited course Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice, students will be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of one of the four Descriptors of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) and are eligible for Fellowship.

Students benefit from:

  • a valuable measure of success increasingly sought by employers across the education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion
  • on successful claim of Fellowship, the entitlement to use post-nominal letters – AFHEA/FHEA
  • consolidation of personal development emphasising their professional practice in HE
  • recognition from a growing number of international institutions

Arden University is proud to be one of the only private universities in the UK to be awarded accreditation by AdvanceHE. It is a hallmark of our commitment to academic excellence.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

  • Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
  • Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
  • Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.