The UK 
Professional 
Standards 
Framework 
for teaching and 
supporting learning 
in higher education

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DEVELOPING THE HE SECTOR-OWNED STANDARDS
This paper describes the new National Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and 
Supporting Learning in Higher Education.  
The idea of a framework for professional standards for teaching and supporting learning in 
higher education was proposed in the White Paper The Future of Higher Education (2003).  In 
response to this the UUK, SCOP and the UK HE funding bodies invited the Higher Education 
Academy to consult with the sector to develop such a framework.
Following extensive consultation with the sector a National Professional Standards 
Framework has been developed for institutions to apply to their professional development 
programmes and activities and thus demonstrate that professional standards for teaching and 
supporting learning are being met.
At the heart of this framework is acknowledgement of the distinctive nature of teaching in 
higher education, respect for the autonomy of higher education institutions, and recognition 
of the sector’s understanding of quality enhancement for improving student learning.  The 
framework recognises that the scholarly nature of subject inquiry and knowledge creation, 
and a scholarly approach to pedagogy, combine to represent a unique feature of support for 
student learning in higher education institutions. 
The standards framework aims to act as:
•  an enabling mechanism to support the professional development of staff engaged in 
supporting learning
•  a means by which professional approaches to supporting student learning can be fostered 
through creativity, innovation and continuous development
•  a means of demonstrating to students and other stakeholders the professionalism that staff 
bring to the support of the student learning experience
• a means to support consistency and quality of the student learning experience.
 
THE STANDARDS FRAMEWORK
The framework is a descriptor based approach whereby HE institutions determine their 
own criteria in the application of the standards framework.  In order to demonstrate 
application of the standards, six areas of activity, core knowledge and professional values (all 
derived from the Higher Education Academy’s existing Accreditation Scheme) are applied to 
learning outcomes and assessment activities within the institution’s professional development 
programmes.

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THE STANDARDS
Standard descriptor
Examples of staff groups
1.  Demonstrates an understanding 
Postgraduate teaching assistants, staff 
of the student learning experience 
new to higher education teaching with 
through engagement with at least 2 
no prior qualifi cation or experience, 
of the 6 areas of activity, appropriate 
staff whose professional role includes 
core knowledge and professional val-
a small range of teaching and learning 
ues; the ability to engage in practices 
support activity
related to those areas of activity; the 
ability to incorporate research, schol-
arship and/or professional practice 
into those activities
2.  Demonstrates an understanding 
Staff who have a substantive role in 
of the student learning experience 
learning and teaching to enhance the 
through engagement with all areas 
student experience 
of activity, core knowledge and 
professional values; the ability 
to engage in practices related to 
all areas of activity; the ability to 
incorporate research, scholarship 
and/or professional practice into 
those activities
3.  Supports and promotes student 
Experienced staff who have an 
learning in all areas of activity, 
established track record in promoting 
core knowledge and professional 
and mentoring colleagues in learning 
values through mentoring and 
and teaching to enhance the student 
leading individuals and/or teams; 
learning experience 
incorporates research, scholarship 
and/or professional practice into 
those activities

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AREAS OF ACTIVITY, CORE KNOWLEDGE AND 
PROFESSIONAL VALUES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK
Areas of activity
1. Design and planning of learning activities and/or programmes of study
2. Teaching and/or supporting student learning
3. Assessment and giving feedback to learners
4. Developing effective environments and student support and guidance
5.  Integration of scholarship, research and professional activities with teaching and 
supporting learning
6. Evaluation of practice and continuing professional development
Core knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The subject material 
2. Appropriate methods for teaching and learning in the subject area and at the level of 
the academic programme
3. How students learn, both generally and in the subject
4. The use of appropriate learning technologies
5. Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching
6. The implications of quality assurance and enhancement for professional practice
Professional values
1. Respect for individual learners 
2.  Commitment to incorporating the process and outcomes of relevant research, 
scholarship and/or professional practice
3. Commitment to development of learning communities 
4.  Commitment to encouraging participation in higher education, acknowledging 
diversity and promoting equality of opportunity
5. Commitment to continuing professional development and evaluation of practice
RELATIONSHIP TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION 
ACADEMY NATIONAL ACCREDITATION SCHEME
Guidance and support is offered through the work of the Higher Education Academy for HE 
institutions to be accredited for their application and use of the new standards framework. 
Please see www.heacademy.ac.uk for further details.

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