Progress to Fellowship through the Professional Learning Framework

The Professional Learning Framework (PLF) provides an experience-based route to Associate, Fellow, or Senior Fellowship directly through the University of Dundee.

It is a written submission of evidence as a claim for professional recognition based on the evidence you can provide which demonstrates you meet the requirements of the Professional Standards Framework 2023 (PSF 2023). Your application will be assessed by a panel at the University of Dundee. Staff no longer apply directly to Advance HE. 

There is no cost to you when applying for Fellowship through the University’s PLF route. 

Eligibility

Applications are accepted from:

• University of Dundee staff
• Al-Maktoum College staff
• International College Dundee (ICD) staff
• Students with teaching and supporting learning responsibilities at the University of Dundee 

Fellowship categories

There are four fellowship categories: 

• Associate Fellowship
• Fellowship
• Senior Fellowship
• Principal Fellowship

You can use the Fellowship category tool on Advance HE to inform your choice. You should choose a category of Fellowship that most closely reflects your current practice, professional development, and career aspirations. 

PLF does not support Principal Fellowship applications. They should be submitted directly to Advance HE.

Benefits of Fellowship

• Consolidate personal development and evidence of professional practice in your career.
• Demonstrate commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience, through engagement in a practical process that encourages research, reflection and development.
• Fellowship is increasingly sought after by employers in the higher education sector for appointment and promotion.
• Entitlement to use post-nominal letters – AFHEA, FHEA, SFHEA.
• Recognised and valued by a growing number of international institutions.
• May support University of Dundee academic staff promotions: Academic and Research Staff promotions criteria and procedure.

Teaching staff on probationary contracts

For teaching staff on a probationary contract there is a mandatory requirement to complete the Associate Module of the Academic Practice In Higher Education course through the Academic Skills Centre and become an Associate Fellow.

Accredited Prior Learning

Accredited Prior Learning is not accepted within experiential routes to Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellowship. A full claim for each distinctive category of HEA Fellowship is required.

How to apply

Eligible staff or students need to apply through the University of Dundee by contacting plf@dundee.ac.uk. Applicants will be placed within a cohort and the application reviewed in October or February (subject to change)

The application for Associate Fellow, Fellow or Senior Fellow will consist of a written submission of evidence demonstrating how you have successfully met the criteria for one of the fellowship categories along with supporting statements from referees.

While you are not applying directly to Advance HE, their application guidance is still relevant.

• Fellowship resources
• Associate Fellowship applicant pack
• Fellowship applicant pack
• Senior Fellowship applicant pack

Support and training

There are training workshops available, which will be advertised through the staff newsletter. The PLF lead and named Senior Fellows may also offer guidance.

Application review process

All applications for Fellowship will be reviewed by experienced peer reviewers, chosen for their extensive knowledge and practice in teaching and learning. They include specialist educators and expert practitioners across disciplines from the University of Dundee.

It takes around 12 weeks from submission of the application to being notified if the application has been accepted or referred.

Referral

You will receive support from a PLF mentor if your application is referred. They will provide annotated feedback and points for developing the application. After a period (agreed between applicant and mentor) the applicant will be given one opportunity to resubmit the application.

If unsuccessful on the second attempt, a further application can be made once the applicant has had sufficient time to gain practice experience.