Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments

Russell Group member

Top 100 university1

Leading UK Distance Learning Provider

Universitas 21 member

Make Birmingham yours

Complete the form below for detailed programme and pricing information and to be contacted by phone and email.

Early bird discount

We are excited to be offering a 10% early bird discount from the first module for the June 2024 intake to those who have accepted an unconditional offer and are registered on the programme by 31st May 2024.

Build better ways to learn

Advance with world-class learning at a top-100, leading university

Adopt diverse skills in design, technology, social science, data science and more to excel as an innovative learning designer across multiple industries with the Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments from the University of Birmingham. As one of the largest providers of distance and blended learning in the UK, you’ll learn how to educate others from experts in education whilst interacting with a rich culture of predominantly international students. If you’re not quite ready for this programme, try one module at a time with our online short courses option, where credits count toward this certificate.

The University of Birmingham has the strength and variety of programmes to suit your individual needs and interests, backed by the academic expertise and influence, support and facilities of a top 100 public research and teaching university. You’ll benefit from both academic and personal development to achieve success and ensure your degree is an asset in your future prospects.

“The course represents the cutting edge of this industry and equips the student with the broad range of valuable skills required to play an integral part of any learning design team. The lecturers are highly qualified, experienced and extremely knowledgable, the materials are accessible and the assessment methods are valid. I cannot recommend the course highly enough.”

Tyrone Bishop, Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments Graduate, United Kingdom

Enjoy short sessions and unique coursework to improve others’ learning outcomes

Designed for working professionals who demand a flexible option for advanced learning, this specialised certificate offers you the opportunity to build up a skill set that directly translates to practice. You’ll be taking part in interactive learning with some of the best practitioners and designers in today’s learning environments. Get crafty with innovative techniques as you participate in hands-on experiences that build both digital and traditional learning platforms knowledge. Here are the courses included in this 60-credit programme:

Design and design thinking

Learn about the role and skills of the designer and examine the processes used to develop designs and designed artefacts that deliver user experiences in any learning environment.

Developing digital artefacts for learning

In this course, you’ll further enrich your understanding of the learning process by creating your own digital artefacts for use in a learning environment using a piece of contemporary technology.

Communicating design stories

Learn to pitch an idea and present a design to a variety of different stakeholders while enhancing your own learning experience through group feedback and ‘flipped learning’.

Applied data science for learning environments

Understand the fundamentals of data analysis using appropriate tools and frameworks to evaluate teaching and learning and report findings to a variety of audiences to better understand the effectiveness of learning.

Perspectives on learning

Exploring different perspectives on how we learn and how to help others learn, you will cover the behavioural, cognitive, social and networked perspectives on learning and evaluate approaches for application in your own learning environment.

Sociotechnical learning environments

Analyse learning environments from the perspective of connecting the social, physical and digital in networks of the human and non-human to challenge perspectives of online and offline learning.

Entry requirements

To be eligible to apply for the Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments, you will need to have obtained (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university OR an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution OR a lower second-class degree with 2 years’ work experience (in design, computing or education) OR no degree with 5+ years’ work experience.

We welcome applicants with an appetite for learning. Since this programme combines modules from multiple disciplines, expect to cover coding and maths, starting at secondary schooling level and above.

International students

If English is not your first language, you will need to also supply an up-to-date English language certificate. We accept up-to-date Academic IELTS certificates with a score of 6.5, and no less than 6.0 in any of the elements.

A leader in distance learning

Enjoy the convenient online format offered by a world top-100 university and the 4th best university for Online Learning in the UK Uswitch 2022. You’ll be led by the same leading lecturers and faculty experts who instruct on campus. They’ll guide you through flexible online modules, immersive activities and lively discussions. Learn wherever, whenever it’s convenient, and graduate poised to step into your desired role with new knowledge and skills. We’ll even support you in your job search with our Careers Network, linking you to global opportunities to launch or elevate your career.

Start dates

February | June | October

Duration

1 year

Tuition

The estimated total cost of this learning experience design certificate is £4,440. You can pay in full or in instalments of £740 on a module-by-module basis. All costs are listed, to help you make an informed decision.

Programme fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year. The fees listed above are for academic year 2023-24.

Short courses in Design for Learning Environments

If you are unable to commit to the full programme, you can exit with a microcredential certificate instead.

Lasting just eight weeks, short courses in Design for Learning Environments allow you to specialize in a particular area of instructional design, completing with a microcredential certificate worth 10 master’s credits. Request information to find out about upcoming start dates.

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Create learning environments that propel students forward

Enrich your career with an advanced level of learning processes knowledge. As our global population seeks to advance in their careers through online learning platforms, more skilled professionals like you are needed to step into roles that prepare them with exceptional learning environments. Whether it’s in a workplace, home setting or an in-person experience, learning platforms, courses, manuals, storyboards and more must be developed and designed by professionals possessing this unique skill set. The field of instructional design is ready for graduates of this programme. Become an e-learning professional as an instructional designe2 to step into a rewarding career, enhancing existing courses with technological components3

Top 10 roles for instructional designers

  1. Learning designer
  2. Head of e-learning
  3. E-learning designer
  4. Learning technologist
  5. Academic developer in learning technology
  6. Digital learning officer
  7. Learning adviser
  8. Learning developer
  9. Instructional designer
  10. E-learning developer

Learn more today!

Request Info

References

  1. “QS World University Rankings 2023.” QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. Retrieved on July 20, 2022 from https://www.topuniversities.com.
  2. “Instructional Designer Salary.” Ziprecruiter.com. Retrieved on June 23, 2021 from https://www.ziprecruiter.com.
  3. “Instructional Designer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications.” Indeed. Retrieved on June 23, 2021 from https://www.indeed.com.