Professional Recognition

The scheme is closely referenced to the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF).There are many benefits to gaining recognition as an  Academy Fellow:

• It provides national recognition of your commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning in higher education
• It demonstrates that your practice is aligned with the UK PSF
• It provides an indicator of professional identity for higher education practitioners, including the entitlement to use post-nominal letters
  AFHEA – Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  FHEA – Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  SFHEA - Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  PFHEA – Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

• It is a portable asset, that has UK-wide relevance and which is increasingly recognised by higher and further education institutions

Applying for recognition

Individuals can apply for recognition via the following:

On completion of Academy-accredited professional development provision (for example PG Cert in teaching and learning in HE, or accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme).

Please note: we are now accepting applications from individuals who have completed an HEA accredited provision more than two years ago. All applications by individuals on the basis of completing an HEA accredited provision should be submitted using the online form.

By applying through the Academy’s Individual Recognition Route, on the basis of their experience in teaching and learning to become an:

• Associate Fellow
• Fellow
• Senior Fellow
• Principal Fellow

The fee you will pay will depend on whether you are employed by a subscribing institution; details of the fees for professional recognition are included in the guidance notes. These are available on the relevant webpage for each category of recognition.

Applications for Professional Recognition via the individual experience route may be used for training and development purposes by the HEA.  The final decision to award any category of Fellowship is at the discretion of the HEA.

In order to improve our recognition services, revisions may be made to our web content from time to time, please check our website at regular intervals to ensure you have the most up to date information available.