Design for Learning Environments microcredentials
Now is the time. Activate your future.
Become an innovator in EdTech
The University of Birmingham’s selection of world-class microcredentials help you develop the skills to create impactful learning resources and programmes. With a globally recognised credential from a leader in distance learning, you’ll be prepared to support learners in a range of educational contexts.
Make Birmingham yours
Complete the form below for detailed programme and pricing information and to be contacted by phone and email.
Shape the future of learning
Study at your own pace in flexible, eight-week modules led by Birmingham’s experienced faculty members. The University is proud to offer five 10-credit microcredential options to support professionals seeking a deeper understanding of learning and technology. Complete individual short courses or pursue the full Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments.
Available microcredentials
- Perspectives on learning
- Sociotechnical learning environments
- Design and design thinking
- Developing digital artefacts for learning
- Applied data science for learning environments
Excellence in distance learning
The University of Birmingham’s online courses encourage students to elevate their ideas and reshape the world. You’ll have the freedom to study whenever and wherever it works best for you while benefitting from world-class instruction delivered by the same lecturers and faculty experts who teach on campus. Enjoy the flexibility of online learning with convenient modules that prioritise immersive activities and lively discussions. Graduate poised to step into your desired role with new knowledge and skills gained from a research-informed, career-centred programme.
Flexible pathways to entry
Multiple pathways to entry are available for the postgraduate microcredentials in learning design. We welcome applicants who possess a true appetite for learning, and both academic and professional qualifications are taken into account. Entry criteria are detailed below.
Easy to apply
Students who have obtained an upper second-class degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university are eligible for standard academic entry. See the detailed entry requirements below.
| Certificate/transcripts | Student must 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. |
| Additional documentation |
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| Evidence of language (if applicable) | If English is not your first language, you will also need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate. Please see the detailed language criteria listed below. |
Alternative paths to entry
Students seeking non-standard academic entry may pursue the following routes.
- The degree or equivalent qualification must be from a UK university or recognised institution
- You must provide evidence of at least two years of relevant work experience in design, computing or education
- You must also submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
- Without a degree, the student must provide evidence of 3+ years of work experience in design, computing or education
- You must also submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
Study at an internationally respected university
At Birmingham University, we’re shaping the future of education through pioneering research and world-class programmes that prepare graduates to improve the learning outcomes of others. We pride ourselves in welcoming and supporting international students.
If English is not your first language, you will need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate. See the details below.
- Academic IELTS certificates with a score of 6.5, and no less than 6.0 in any band
- TOEFL with a score of 88, and no less than 21 in ‘Reading’, 20 in ‘Listening’, 22 in ‘Speaking’, and 21 in ‘Writing’
- Pearson PTE with a score of 67 and no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge Advanced English with a minimum overall score of 176 and no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT B2 ‘Communicator’ test certificate with a minimum score of 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE III with a ‘Pass’ in each skill
- HKDSE with a minimum score of 4 overall, to include three bands at grade 4 and one band at grade 3
- India Standard XII with a minimum pass of 80% in ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% in West Bengal, or 85% in other state boards
You may not need to provide evidence of your English language abilities if:
- You’re from a specified majority English-speaking country
- You’ve completed a degree in English in a specified country within two years of your intended start date
If nationals from the following countries have a degree or GCSE English grade 4/C equivalent taken, then they do not need to provide a test and there is no validity period for their degree or GCSE equivalent.
Nationals of other countries can be exempt if they hold a degree from one of the below countries within the last two academic years:
- Australia
- Belize
- Botswana
- British Overseas Territories
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Antarctic Territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (and Dependencies)
- South Georgia
- South Sandwich Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn
- Henderson
- Ducie and Oeno Islands
- Saint Helena (and Dependencies)
- Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Brunei
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guyana
- Republic of Ireland
- Kenya
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- United Kingdom
- United States
- West Indies
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Affordable online microcredentials
The estimated total cost of a single short course is £975 GBP, and payments should be made in full. Programme fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year. The fees listed above are for academic year 2024-25.
Gain a competitive edge in learning design
The University’s Design for Learning Environments microcredentials are built to help professionals meet the increased demand for creative, impactful online learning experiences that lead to better student outcomes. Choose the short courses that best fit your professional goals, and apply what you learn right away to help others meet their learning targets. Complete your chosen microcredential ready to confidently pursue roles such as e-learning designer, academic developer, and digital learning officer, among others.
“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 knowledgeable, 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
Earn a highly recognised credential
Gain global insights, develop big-picture thinking and emerge with an impressive credential for success in the workplace. Employers are keen to hire our graduates, trusting in their preparedness, advanced postgraduate knowledge, and the fact that we have eight Nobel Laureates and two prime ministers among our alumni.
Ranked 80th in the world (QS 2025)
Ranked 93rd in the world (THE 2025)
Ranked 14th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2024)
Ranked 35th most internationally diverse university in the world (THE 2024)
Russell Group Member
Universitas 21 member
Learn more today
Request InfoReferences
- QS Top Universities. “QS World University Rankings 2025.” Retrieved 10 Jun. 2024 from https://topuniversities.com/.
- Beckett, Max. “Online Learning Index.” Uswitch. 2 Nov. 2022. Retrieved 10 Jan. 2024 from https://uswitch.com/.
- “The graduate market in 2024.” High Fliers Research Limited. Retrieved 10 Jun. 2024 from https://www.highfliers.co.uk.