The Professional Standards Framework (PSF) 2023 and Fellowship
Fellowship (Descriptor 2) is the appropriate category of fellowship to professionally recognise individuals from a wide variety of different contexts whose higher education (HE) teaching and/or support for learning practice enables them to evidence all 15 of the PSF 2023 Dimensions to meet the requirements of PSF 2023 Descriptor 2.
Fellowship (Descriptor 2) is for individuals whose practice with learners has breadth and depth, enabling them to evidence all PSF 2023 Dimensions. Effectiveness of practice in teaching and/or support of high-quality learning will need to be demonstrated to meet Descriptor 2 through evidence of the following three criteria statements:
- D2.1 use of all five Professional Values
- D2.2 application of all forms of Core Knowledge
- D2.3 effective and inclusive practice in all five Areas of Activity
Professional Standards Framework 2023
Find out more about the revised framework that emphasises effectiveness and impact, inclusion and context, as fundamental aspects of practice.
Are you considering applying for Fellowship?
From 1 January 2024, only applications made against PSF 2023, using the correct PSF 2023 templates will be accepted. Your application MUST NOT reference aspects of UKPSF 2011 such as Core Knowledge K6. Any such references will result in your application being returned. Application documents for PSF 2023 are available here: PSF 2023.
Fellowship brings you a range of benefits:
- Consolidate personal development and evidence of professional practice in your higher education 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 by employers across the higher education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion;
- For individuals, to identify their expertise with the entitlement to use post-nominal letters – FHEA;
- Recognised and valued by a growing number of international institutions.
Is Fellowship for you?
Fellowship is the appropriate category of fellowship to professionally recognise individuals from a wide variety of different contexts whose practice with learners has ‘breadth and depth’, enabling them to evidence all PSF 2023 Dimensions. This might be staff with substantive teaching responsibilities or professional staff with responsibilities to support HE learning across all Dimensions. It is not role dependent; you will need to explore whether you have sufficient evidence of appropriate teaching and or/support for learning practice at the ‘depth and breadth’ required to make a successful application.
We recommend that prior to starting your application you use our free online Fellowship Category Tool.
If you feel that you are working within this category download your Fellow guidance pack to find out more about how to apply.
Fellowship Category Tool
Our Fellowship Category Tool has been designed to help you understand which category of Fellowship most closely reflects your current practice and to reflect on your ongoing professional development and career aspirations.
After you have answered a series of choice questions, which will take around 10-20 minutes, you will be shown your results and a PDF report summarising your responses will be sent to you.
The Professional Standards Framework 2023 (PSF 2023)
The Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education (PSF) has global recognition for raising the profile of teaching and learning in higher education. The PSF’s contribution to reward and recognition is unsurpassed, being used by individuals, institutions and national bodies.
The PSF 2023 is an inclusive Framework that recognises the critical role of the context in which practice takes place and is more accessible to all professionals with a role in teaching and supporting learning.
Applying and application fees
There are various application routes for Fellowship, they are made in writing and need to be supported by written references. Find out more about the available application routes.
Application fees vary depending on the route you take to Fellowship, with individuals from subscribing institutions benefiting from discounted fees.
Fellowship Application Builder
If you are thinking of applying for Fellowship, our Fellowship Application Builder online course is designed to help you create an application that fully reflects your practice.
| Routes to Fellowship | Fees |
|---|---|
| Accredited Provision (individual from a member institution) | No cost |
| Accredited Provision (individual from a non-member institution) | £220 |
| Direct application to Advance HE (individual from a member institution) | £220 |
| Direct application to Advance HE (individual from non-member institution) | £440 |
Do you want to support your staff to achieve Fellowship?
Advance HE offers Fellowship support to institutions through a structured process:
- Fellowship workshops - sessions helping your staff understand Fellowship and the application process
- Fellowship Writing Retreats - expert support providing a structured and guided environment in which to construct an application for Fellowship
- draft Fellowship applications reviews - a consultant will review applications and provide annotated feedback, including points for further development.
All of these services can be delivered online.
Meet some of our Fellows
