Learning Experiences and Innovation

Learning Experiences and InnovationEducator DevelopmentEduExe FrameworkLTHE

Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

The Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LTHE) Programme introduces the principles of effective learning, teaching, and assessment in higher education (HE). It is designed to provide early-career developmental support for:

  • Doctoral students who will be undertaking work as postgraduate teaching assistants (PTAs) 
  • Postdoctoral researchers with limited teaching responsibilities 
  • University associates (e.g., staff at INTO or NHS) who teach or support learning 
  • Professional services staff (e.g., technical staff, education technologists, library staff, etc.) who teach or support learning 
  • Other staff who are interested in but have limited experience or official duties associated with teaching or learning support

The LTHE programme is designed to inspire educators to think creatively about a range of aspects of learning and teaching in HE and to make connections between personal experiences, the experiences of others, and learning and teaching theories that have been developed by researchers and practitioners.

If you are interested in learning more about the programme and/or would like to enrol, please visit our dedicated programme site. You can also contact the LTHE team at lthe@exeter.ac.uk.

From September 2024, the programme will run as a series of face-to-face sessions (at Penryn and Streatham campuses) in Autumn Term and repeated in Spring Term. We also run an online only route three times per year in the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.

On-campus route (Autumn and Spring Terms): each unit involves  2 - 3 hours of scheduled on-campus activity (14 hours in total), plus 1 - 2 hours preparatory/consolidation work per unit.

Online only route (Autumn, Spring and Summer terms): expect to undertake 3 - 5 hours of online synchronous activity, plus 15 - 20 hours of self-paced online study.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of two stages, with a combined total of five taught units. The LTHE assessment also available to undertake as an optional sixth unit.

 Stage One:

  • Unit 1: An introduction to key concepts in learning and teaching and exploring your identity as an educator

Stage Two:

  • Unit 2: Session Planning and Design (plan for active and inclusive learning)
  • Unit 3: Assessment, Marking and Feedback (develop a rigorous and supportive assessment practice)
  • Unit 4: Microteach (deliver a 10-minute session to your peers)
  • Unit 5: Contextualising your Practice (reflect on the wider higher education landscape and your professional development as an educator)

Prospective participants can choose to register either for Stage One (online only), or Stages One and Two (on-campus or online).

The LTHE Assessment is optional but highly recommended, as successful completion results in conferral of Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and the EduExe Framework, which can be helpful in securing further employment in HE. Read more on the SharePoint site.

​​​​​​There are a variety of optional group tutorials, reading groups, and 1:1's available to support students throughout the programme.

Whether run online or on campus, sessions are designed to be interactive and engaging. The programme provides ample opportunities for experiential learning, both on an individual basis and through group work. Participants are invited to draw on their own experiences as learners and educators, and to engage in discussions with both peers and LTHE tutors. 

Thank you so much, I’ve really enjoyed this course and I’ll be able to use a lot of the lessons in practice – LTHE participant (Blended 2023)

I really enjoyed the module and feel much more confident to start teaching – LTHE participant (Blended 2023)

Very supportive, open environment in sessions. Confidence boosting to have received some training – LTHE Participant (Blended 2023)

The LTHE programme provides thorough knowledge and skills needed to the HE teaching. They are all key and easy-to-understand information. Moreover, the programme offers a very flexible and comfortable way of studying! – LTHE participant  (Online 2023)

The instructors are supportive and provide a friendly environment to discover learning and teaching. Peers are passionate about educating. The structure of the programme is clear and rich materials are available – LTHE participant (Online 2023)

The units are clearly structured and broken down into easily digestible elements. The opportunity to put the learning into practice with the microteach was excellent and the experience and feedback received is invaluable – LTHE participant (Online 2021)

I really liked the variety of resources (e.g. videos, infographics, text) and all of the extra resources... I really enjoyed the microteach and this really increased my confidence in the sessions that I have facilitated since – LTHE participant (Online 2021)

The course was excellent. I enjoyed the supportive atmosphere, group work, and discussions – LTHE participant (Blended Autumn 2019)

I learned a lot and it is enlightening and exciting to realise how much flexibility there is in methods of teaching – LTHE participant (Blended Autumn 2019)