Preparing Future Academics

Preparing Future Academics (PFA) is an accredited introductory programme for researchers who intend to pursue an academic career in higher education.

Only 14% of UK PhD students secure an academic post

Improving your teaching and demonstrating your professional development can help you secure that elusive academic post.

PFA provides researchers who teach with skills in facilitating learning, teaching techniques and the opportunity to learn from the experience of new academics.

Full-time registration is from October to September. This is made up of:

  • six months of formal study including teaching and attendance at workshops
  • a three month period in which to compile a portfolio of evidence
  • a three month feedback and review phase

All participants are assigned a PFA supervisor who provides guidance on teaching and supporting student learning. In addition you will have access to VLE material.

The current PFA supervisor profiles can be viewed here:

PFA Supervisors 2012-13

Programme recognition

PFA is mapped to the UK Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and Supporting Learning in Higher Education. All those who successfully complete the programme are entitled to apply to become associate fellows of the Higher Education Academy and can use this as evidence of professional development on CVs.

In 2012 the programme won a Vice-Chancellor Award for Outstanding Achievement, with a silver awarded in the excellence category.

Feedback from previous participants

'The PFA programme is outstanding in the breadth of training provided and the opportunity it provides for peer support as well as to get advice from experienced teaching professionals'

'I am hugely grateful for the programme and for what I have learned from it, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to teach at university level'

'The PFA equipped me with the understanding and motivation to design my post-doctoral project and in my role as Teaching Fellow'

'The accredited focus on teaching techniques allows individuals to develop their own personal CV's and increase their employability, but also vastly improves the quality of PGWT teaching delivered within the University itself - with a direct benefit for the undergraduate community'

'In such a competitive employment climate, the opportunity to complete the PFA is more important than ever.  It also demonstrates the commitment of York University to high quality teaching for undergraduate students and support and career development of postgraduate students'

'For me, teaching has been integral to my postgraduate experience and having the opportunity to formally consolidate teaching development through the programme has been extremely beneficial'

 

Programme handbook

PFA Handbook cover image

Current PFA students can access the PFA VLE support site where you will find more information about the programme, including some useful forms. Log in to Yorkshare (the University of York's VLE).

How to apply

Applications for the 2013-14 programme are now closed.

Applications for 2014-15 will open in Spring 2014.