Courses in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (Högskolepedagogik) are a prioritised area of development for LUSEM. Continuous development in this field is important both for new and more experienced teachers.

The majority of courses in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education are provided by the Division for Higher Education Development (Avdelningen för högskolepedagogisk utveckling). While this unit, from an organisational perspective, is part of the joint Faculties for Humanities and Theology, this does not affect the content of the courses.

The courses of AHU are open for all who teach or supervise students at Lund university: new teachers, experienced teachers, doctoral supervisors, professors, doctoral students, librarians etc.

Swedish higher education institutions require formal certificates of course work on teaching and learning for academic employment. A national framework is provided through The Association of Swedish Higher Education (SUHF), specifying 10 weeks of course work and a set of learning outcomes.

When are the courses given?

AHU offers courses all year around but according to a yearly cycle the courses are divided into two main groups Teaching and learning and Course design. For an overview of the yearly cycle for the courses learn more via this yearly cycle.

Academic positions require course work

Lund university’s employment act requires at least five weeks of course work for academic positions. Doctoral students who teach, are required at least two weeks. Doctoral supervisors are required to attend a dedicated course on doctoral supervision. Here no national framework exists and requirements as well as content and duration for such courses on supervision vary between departments and sometimes also faculties.

The overall aim is that all teaching faculty members are to complete at least 5 weeks (7,5 credits) of courses in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (högskolepedagogik). Doctoral students that are teaching at the undergraduate and/or Master’s level are to complete the introductory course “Teaching and Learning in Higher Education” (Lärarrollen i högre utbildning). We recommend that all doctoral students choose the 3 week version (4,5 credits).

All faculty members that supervise doctoral students are supposed to have completed at least one course in doctoral supervision (the number of weeks may vary).

Mandatory to have completed courses when applying for permanent positions and/or promotion

In order to obtain a permanent position (tillsvidare) as senior lecturer at LUSEM, it is mandatory to have at least 5 weeks (7,5 credits) of completed courses in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

In order to apply for associate professor (docent) at LUSEM, it is also mandatory to have at least 5 weeks (7,5 credits) of completed courses in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. In addition, at least one course in the supervision of doctoral students is required (the number of credits and/or weeks may vary). This course is either made up of the initial 5 week course or is added on top of the initial 5 week course. It is important to note that one cannot apply for “Associate Professor/docent” unless the supervision course is completed.

In order to apply for promotion to professor at LUSEM, it is mandatory to have at least 10 weeks (15 credits) of completed courses in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. There are no exceptions.