Certificate of Professional Studies (CPS)

Professional teaching qualification accredited by HEA.

The Certificate in Professional Studies (CPS) has been accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), which works to enhance teaching quality in higher education institutions. The accreditation means that the course content is in line with the HEA’s professional standards framework, designed to ensure that the teaching taking place in universities provides students with excellent learning experiences. This is a significant step in the development of the CPS at XJTLU, which is mandatory for all new teaching staff, and demonstrates the programme’s ongoing development and quality. Previously, staff from the University of Liverpool visited XJTLU to deliver the programme, which provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills needed to support student learning. Now the programme is accredited to be delivered completely in-house by the Academic Enhancement Centre (AEC) at XJTLU. The AEC works to raise the profile of learning and teaching within the University and to influence and develop teaching methodologies that combine best practice from China and internationally.

“This accreditation represents a significant change in the culture of XJTLU, providing a framework for teachers to excel at teaching,” according to Dr Dawn Johnson, Director of the CPS. "The accreditation means that not only is the course considered to be sufficiently high-quality, but that we will be able to continue developing it so that it addresses the exceptional context in which XJTLU operates. Elements of it are completely unique to XJTLU and address what it means to teach in this highly international environment. It is increasingly important for qualifications such as the CPS to be accredited by a professional body and I am delighted that the HEA has awarded us this accreditation.”

Staff in AEC will continue to work with the University of Liverpool, as well as departments around XJTLU, in order to further develop internal expertise and enhance the programme.  Plans are underway to develop, and gain accreditation for, a postgraduate teaching certificate as well as to offer both certificates externally to professionals working in universities in China.

“We would like to express our congratulations to the team at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.” (Louise Lumsden, Academic Development Officer at the HEA)

January and February are traditionally a relatively quiet period at XJTLU, but there were still a few very well-attended CPS workshops for those who were around. The first one was in early January and was facilitated by XJTLU’s Dean of Learning and Teaching, Dr Stuart Perrin. The title of the session was Cultures of Learning at XJTLU, and participants were given the opportunity to explore the unique learning and teaching environment at XJTLU and how that relates to their own practice.

The second workshop (called Theory and Practice in Learning and Teaching) in late January was part of the compulsory suite of seven CPS workshops, and was facilitated by Dr Dawn Johnson. This workshop aimed to outline and generate discussion about key educational and pedagogical theory that informs our learning and teaching approaches.

The first workshop in the Year of the Monkey was all about Academic Identity: what makes us who we are as academics, as teachers, and as researchers? What do we value the most as part of our professional identity, and where does professional development fit into all of this? This workshop also made a link to Communities of Practice, in anticipation of the upcoming visit by Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner, and in line with the proposed educational development strategy for XJTLU.

Note: Keep in mind that all staff can attend the workshops we offer as part of the CPS programme, regardless of whether you are enrolled in the CPS programme or not. The workshops are valuable as part of Continuing Professional Development as well, so all staff are welcome to attend and participate, as long as you register, as the demand is high at certain times, and places can be limited. But in principle, all XJTLU staff are welcome!