Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (HELT)

The Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (HELT) is a professional development programme for university teachers.

HELT is a postgraduate qualification consisting of:

  • a core of six mini-courses worth 5-points each
  • a 15-point portfolio course
  • 15 further points made up of either three more mini-courses or an approved course from another qualification schedule that aligns with the higher education focus of the programme.

Participants in HELT can take these courses at their own pace—one a trimester over four or five years, or two to three a trimester to finish in two years.

HELT offers a flexible, modular approach to professional development in learning and teaching that makes it easier to participate without significantly increasing workloads or compromising other commitments.

Find and enrol in HELT courses

The courses are designed to help staff achieve practical outcomes. For example:

  • Developing a Teaching Philosophy (HELT 551) is useful for people wanting to create a teaching philosophy statement for academic promotion, job applications, or teaching award submissions.
  • Programme and Course Design (HELT 533), is designed to teach participants about evidence-based practice for course design, giving participants hands-on support from CAD experts and their peers, finishing with both a (re)designed course and five points towards a postgraduate qualification.
  • The 15-point portfolio course (HELT 539) aligns with Te Arawai Ako—Pathway to Learning and Fellowship to prepare you to apply for fellowship, accredited by Advance HE, or other award and fellowship applications. If you already have a fellowship, CAD will work out a way to recognise that prior learning.

HELT courses are offered in various formats including intensive block courses, online-only self-directed learning and blended active learning. The qualification is free for Te Herenga Waka staff on permanent contracts with New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency. PhD students are also welcome to enrol and may be able to use some of their coursework allocation if the topics are relevant to the focus of their PhD. Course fees apply for all other applicants.

If you are interested in cohort-based experiences for any core courses, email CAD-contact@vuw.ac.nz to arrange custom-built course offerings for groups of eight or more—ideal for teams already developing new programmes or courses, or wanting to learn together.

Read more about the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (PGCertHELT) and Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Learning and Teaching (PGDipHELT).

HELT qualification structure showing 30 points of core courses (HELT 530—Theories of Teaching, HELT 531—How Students Learn, HELT 532—Feedback, HELT 533—Programme and Course Design, HELT 534—Technology Enhanced Teaching, HELT 535—Akoranga in Aotearoa New Zealand), a 15-point portfolio course (HELT 539—Portfolios for Professional Practice), and 15 further points from elective courses such as HELT 550—Mātauranga Māori in Teaching, HELT 551—Developing a Teaching Philosophy, HELT 552—Assessment Design in the AI Era, HELT 553—Active Learning and Student Engagement, and HELT 554—Ako in Action: Enhancing Teaching in Partnership with Students.

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