Teaching Accreditation Route (TAR)

Professional Development

STHE TAR
MTR PL Toolkit ML Toolkit Teach Talk!

The TAR and the PGCAP @ Marjon

The TAR route consists of a 3-module level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP). The PGCAP is informed by sectoral regulation and best practice, and locally by the:

The PGCAP consists of 3 modules, the first 2 of which are (EDCM01 and EDCM02) accredited with Advance HE against the Professional Standards FrameworkLinks to an external site. (PSF).

Find out more about the PGCAP by visiting the pre-enrolment page.

The Professional Standards Framework (PSF)▼

The PSF defines the professional values, knowledge, and practices expected of staff involved in teaching and supporting learning in higher education. It supports reflective practice, professional development, and recognition across four descriptors (D1-4) aligned to increasing levels of responsibility, influence, and leadership.
PSF 2023 - Screen Reader Compatible - final_1675089549.pdf

Routes TAR 1, 2 and 3 ▼

Routes TAR 1, TAR 2, and TAR 3 (PGCAP)

TAR 1, 2 and 3 module details


Module	Title	Credits	Fellowship/ Qualification Awarded	Delivery
EDCM01 (TAR 1)	Introduction to Teaching and Learning (ITL) EDCM01 is designed to provide staff with teaching responsibilities that are new to Marjon/ partners and/or new to teaching in higher education with a concise introduction to best practice in student centred teaching and learning	15	D1 Associate Fellowship	Once per annum. Each module consists of up to 10-12 weeks of engagement plus 4- 6 weeks to prepare assessment
EDCM02 (TAR 2)	Enhancing Teaching and Learning (ETL) EDCM02 builds upon the content of EDCM01 providing a comprehensive overview of pedagogic agendas relevant to local practice and the broader higher education sector.	15	D2 Fellowship
Then either to complete TAR 3
EDCM03	Introduction to Pedagogic Research EDCM03 introduces the principles of pedagogic research content and practice and supports participants to undertake their own research project	30	PGCAP	Once per annum. Each module consists of up to 24 weeks of engagement plus6-8 weeks to prepare assessment
EDCM04	Introduction to Research Management EDCM04 provides a comprehensive overview of academic research management issues (research ethics, impact, internationalisation etc)	30	PGCAP

TAR for Marjon based staff ▼

TAR Information for Plymouth Marjon

New staff are usually allocated a TAR or MTR route upon offer of employment. New staff have specific contribution hours dedicated to undertaking the TAR route, see the Academic Contribution FrameworkLinks to an external site. for details. Where staff are expected to undertake TAR 3 (the whole PGCAP), this is normally achieved in 24 months however, participants can, with their managers approval, take a yearlong interruption to achieve in 36 months.

Please note that TAR 2 is only possible in certain cases i.e., when Plymouth Marjon staff on the TAR 3 route will leave the University before being able to undertake EDCM03/4. The usual expectation for new staff (0.5 and above) without a teaching qualification is that they will complete the PGCAP.

TAR for Partner Institution Staff ▼

Partner institutions can put forward candidates for TAR1 and TAR2 routes. The opportunity to do this will normally be embedded into the Strategic Partnership Board (SPB).

Partner staff will not have direct contractual requirements with Marjon, but eligibility will be dependent on each participant having the same teaching experience and capacity set out in the 'Suggested Teaching Recognition Routes for Partner Based Staff'.

There are currently overhead contributions associate with partner staff participating in TAR. These are dependent on the number of participants put forward and are embedded within the annual AoA, to discuss this please contact partnerships@marjon.ac.uk . In addition, upon successful completion of either TAR1 or 2 there is an application cost to Advance HE to receive official Fellowship certification. The cost of this varies dependent on your institutional affiliation with Advance HE. Information about this, and costs per Fellowship category can be found on the Advance HE website.Links to an external site. Your organisation must have an agreement about how these costs will be covered with individuals you put forward to participate in the TAR . All such commitments would be discussed at the annual Strategic Partnership Board (SPB).