The Oxford Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Recognition Scheme has three pathways (Associate Fellow, Fellow and Senior Fellow) that align to different teaching and learning support roles, responsibilities, and educational leadership practice.
Each is a structured route through which to apply for recognition of your higher education teaching/learner support that is accredited by Advance HE.
Find out about the Senior Fellowship Pathway below. Upon successful completion of this pathway, you will be awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).
Who is it for?
The Senior Fellowship Pathway is open to all academic and professional services staff employed at the University of Oxford whose comprehensive understanding and effective practice provides a basis from which they lead and/or influence those who teach and/or support learning.
Participants on the Senior Fellowship Pathway can now follow either a written or dialogic route, enabling assessment via a 6,000 word written claim or a 2,400 word written claim and a c.45 minute Assessed Professional Conversation.
Are there pre-requisites?
To be eligible to apply to this pathway you must have been operating at Descriptor 3 (D3) level of the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) 2023 level for at least two academic years before applying for Senior Fellowship, so that you will have the range and breadth of experience to draw on in order to make a successful claim.
Is Senior Fellowship right for me?
Senior Fellowship may be right for you if your work and role involves leading and influencing those who teach and support learners, for example, as a programme lead, head of service, or a similar role held for at least two academic years.
To find out if your educational leadership roles, responsibilities, and experiences are aligned to the criteria for Senior Fellowship you will need to complete the Advance HE Fellowship Category Tool 2023. You will be asked to share the results of your Fellowship Category Tool as part of the application process.
How can I find out more about the pathway and ask questions?
You are encouraged to register to attend one of the following online information session to find out more about the Senior Fellowship Pathway and to ask any questions you may have about the pathway before applying:
Thursday 13 February (Week 4 HT25) 10-10.30am
Wednesday 19 February (Week 5 HT25) 2-2.30pm
Tuesday 25 February (Week 6 HT25) 10-10.30am
Monday 3 March (Week 7 HT25) 2-2.30pm
Thursday 13 March (Week 8 HT25) 2-2.30pm
Wednesday 19 March (Week 9 HT25) 10-10.30am
Tuesday 25 March (Week 10 HT25) 2-2.30pm
How is it delivered?
You will attend an introductory in-person workshop where you will meet the tutors, your peers, and develop an action plan for your claim. You will be supported throughout by a tutor from the educational development team. In 1:1 meetings you will discuss the content of your claim and gain feedback on it and decide between the written or dialogic route. There will also be a dedicated Canvas site with resources and information to support you preparing your claim.
When is it taking place?
The workshop will take place on Tuesday 22 April 2025 (Week 0 TT25) from 10am to 12noon. Following this, 1:1 meetings will be scheduled to suit your schedule.
How is it assessed?
The Senior Fellowship Pathway is assessed through either:
- a 6,000 word written recognition claim consisting of:
- a reflective account of practice giving an overview of your impact on teaching and learning to date
- two detailed case studies which each evaluate an example of your educational leadership in depth.
OR
- a 2,400 word written claim followed by a c.45 minute Assessed Professional Conversation. The written component consists of:
- a grid mapping your sustained practice, influence, and impact
- 4-6 summaries of pedagogic practice, leadership, and influence.
Alongside your recognition claim, you will also need to submit two supporting statements from experienced colleagues who can endorse your claim as a fair and accurate reflection of your teaching/learner support practice in higher education. Materials in Canvas will support colleagues in drafting their one to two (A4) page supporting statement.
Your recognition claim will be assessed internally by qualified staff from the Centre for Teaching and Learning, all of whom hold at least Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
What are the claim submission deadlines?
You will have three opportunities to submit your claim. The submission deadlines are:
First deadline: 12noon, Monday 8 September 2025 (Week -4 MT25)
Second deadline: 12noon, Monday 5 January 2026 (Week -1 HT26)
Third deadline: 12noon, Monday 9 March 2026 (Week 8 HT26)
What do I get on completion?
The Senior Fellowship Pathway is accredited by Advance HE and on successful completion of the pathway, participants are awarded Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and are entitled to use the post-nominal letters, SFHEA.
When do applications close?
Applications to join this year's cohort close at 12noon on Monday 31 March (Week 11 HT25).
How do I apply?
Step 1: Attend an online information session (see above)
Step 2: Complete the online Advance HE Fellowship Category Tool 2023
Step 3: Complete the online application form, including uploading the Senior Fellowship Category Tool pdf output.
When will I know if I have a place on the Senior Fellowship Pathway?
Please reserve the date of the in-person workshop in your calendar. You will be invited to attend this workshop by the week commencing Monday 7 April (Week 12 HT25). This notification will include information about the pre-workshop tasks and the location of the workshop.
Please note
The Oxford Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Recognition Scheme replaces the Advancing Teaching and Learning (ATL) Programme and the Teaching Recognition Scheme (TRS).
