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Professional development

The Teaching, Learning and Employability Exchange offers a flexible approach to development for UAL colleagues. Get a qualification or professional recognition linked to your teaching, learning or research practice within arts higher education.

Certain job roles at UAL may be encouraged or required to undertake teaching qualifications.  Read more in the UAL Teaching Qualification and Recognition Policy on Canvas (UAL staff login required).

Teaching qualifications and courses

Join the PgCert or MA Academic Practice to undertake a formal academic course that can help you to develop your practice. Find our policies about remission and reward whilst you study on Canvas.


  • Thinking Teaching

    A 2 day introduction to teaching and learning in the arts, designed for UAL colleagues new to teaching or whose role includes an aspect of teaching or learning support.

  • Alex Bean and Olivia Binns in the Studio, BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring, London College of Fashion, 2017, © Alys Tomlinson

    Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Art, Design and Communication

    This key professional qualification, accredited by AdvanceHE, supports teaching, learning and research.

  • Students working with technician in the letterpress workshop
    Mei Zhang (Study Abroad Student), Natalie Gibson (Tutor) and Rita Kumari (Specialist Print and Dye Technician and Associate Lecturer), 2013, Study Abroad, UAL | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    MA Academic Practice in Art, Design and Communication

    Completed the PgCert? Join our community of creative educators to undertake a disciplinary practice-based or educational research project.

Professional Recognition

Apply for AdvanceHE Fellowship to reflect on and have formally recognised the professional status of your existing teaching and learning expertise. This does not have to include additional academic study.

Our Professional  Recognition Programme provides you with structured guidance to prepare an application for Associate, Fellow, or Senior Fellow.

Find out more about how to gain Fellowship at UAL.

Supervising Research Degrees

Our research supervision course is open to colleagues who supervise PhD students. Find out more about the Supervising Research Degrees unit, which is accredited by SEDA (Staff and Educational Development Association).

Learn more about SEDA’s Professional Development Framework.

Digital learning and teaching


  • Digital Learning staff development  

    Browse digital tools, support, guidance and staff development sessions to support your teaching online and face to face (UAL login required)

  • Woman sitting at a desk

    Teaching online

    Access guidance and training to help you provide high quality teaching online

  • Aerial shot of hands on laptop typing, with orange papers beside on desk

    Studying online

    Get your students started on key UAL online learning platforms

Become an external examiner

We offer 2 development sessions for existing or aspiring external examiners.

Join this supportive discussion designed for black, minority ethnic, people of colour and those identifying as non-white or of multi-ethnic heritage. Explore the scope, role and commitments of external examining for your own professional career development.

(4 November 2021, 2 hours)

  • External Examiners: developing the developers

Whether you are an aspiring or experienced external examiner, join us to develop and deepen your understanding of the role and its requirements. This course is part of the AdvanceHE Develop the Developers programme.

(2021/22 dates coming soon)

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