University of Northampton

What you'll study

This graduate certificate focuses on the theory and practice of supporting and assessing learners in real-world clinical and social care settings. Typical topics include:

• Principles of practice education – roles and responsibilities of practice educators, ethics, professional standards and legal considerations.
• Supervision and assessment in practice – models of supervision, giving feedback, competency-based assessment and preparing learners for high-stakes evaluation.
• Reflective practice and professional development – reflective models, facilitating reflective learning in others, creating learning contracts and continuing professional development planning.
• Designing and evaluating learning in practice – placement learning design, assessment tools, quality assurance and approaches to evaluating student progress.
• Evidence-informed practice – applying educational theory and relevant research to practice education, and beginning to use small-scale evaluation or audit.

Programme delivery is practice-focused and typically combines taught sessions (face-to-face or online), workshops and assessed workplace-based activities such as observed supervision, a mapped portfolio of evidence and written assignments. Credits earned on this certificate may be eligible for progression or cross-credit towards further postgraduate study, subject to University regulations.

Entry requirements

Applicants are usually expected to hold an undergraduate degree or a relevant professional qualification and to be employed in a setting where they supervise learners. Typical entry requirements include:

• Relevant professional registration where applicable (for example nursing, allied health professions, social work or other regulated professions) or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum period of recent practice experience and direct involvement in supervising or assessing learners.
• Employer support or a practice placement agreement confirming that the applicant has access to learners and a suitable practice learning environment for assessment purposes.
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required by placement employers.

Applicants without a degree but with substantial relevant experience should contact the admissions team to discuss the possibility of recognition of prior learning or alternative entry routes.

Career prospects

Graduates enhance their credibility and capability as practice educators and may pursue roles such as:

• Practice educator or clinical educator within NHS trust, primary care or social services.
• Practice development facilitator, learning and development lead, or placement coordinator.
• Progression to academic teaching roles in higher education, or further postgraduate study such as a Postgraduate Certificate or Master's in clinical education, practice education or a related field.

The qualification helps demonstrate competence to employers and professional bodies and supports safer, more effective supervision and assessment of student and trainee practitioners.

Why study at University of Northampton

The University of Northampton offers a practice-orientated programme delivered by staff with clinical, educational and research experience in health and social care. The School works closely with local NHS trusts, social care providers and placement partners to ensure learning is aligned to real workplace needs. Teaching methods combine interactive workshops, blended learning and workplace assessment, enabling immediate transfer of learning into everyday supervisory practice. Students also benefit from pastoral and academic support, and the opportunity to carry accredited credits that can contribute to further postgraduate study.