Advancing Educational Practice Programme
Applications for 2025-26 are now closed
Applications for 2026-27 will open early in 2026.
Overview
The Advancing Educational Practice Programme (AEPP) enables you to extend your understanding of teaching and learning and to develop your practice as an educator at Cambridge. You will explore theories of learning, develop a personal philosophy of teaching and learning, and enquire into approaches to curriculum design, feedback and assessment. Full details can be found in the Programme Handbook.
AEPP is accredited by Advance HE at Descriptor 2; successful completion of the programme will confer on you Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
There is no course fee.
If you have any questions about the programme not answered here or in the Programme Handbook, please get in touch with the Course Director, Dr Mary Beth Benbenek.
Recent and current participants said:
It is great to learn form each other's stories and experience. Really enjoying the programme so far.
I learned so much in such a productive and convivial atmosphere. I will keep learning: I have quite a reading list now!
I've found the course really helpful, particularly as I reflect on what may or may not have worked as I think about any changes for teaching practice next year.
Who is the programme for?
AEPP is designed for Cambridge colleagues with substantive teaching and learning support responsibilities. This may include early-career lecturers, College Teaching Officers, early-career researchers with substantial teaching responsibilities, and academic-related or support staff with roles involving substantial teaching or learning support. It may be of particular interest to academics on the Teaching & Scholarship Academic Career Pathway.
Appendix 1 of the Programme Handbook presents a table with examples of the educational roles and practices typical of someone who would qualify for Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. We would expect you to have this level of experience by the end of the programme.
What does the programme involve?
The nine-month programme is organised into a series of workshops, each of which is complemented by directed reading alongside formative assignments.
AEPP has a high degree of flexibility and participants can plan their work to fit around their other academic and research commitments. However, there are several compulsory components which cannot be missed: workshops, teaching observations and a tutorial. Please see the Key Dates 2025-26 which you must be able to attend. You are likely to dedicate around 10 days to the programme over the nine months.