This virtual programme aims to support programme leaders at a time when they may be new to leadership, or looking to gain confidence in their leadership skills. It will address their unique challenges, opportunities and realities, by developing their networks and skills and providing tools to enable them to thrive in this unique role.
The programme will prompt and challenge participants to consider how they lead others, aligned with the Professional Standards Framework (PSF), in particular Descriptor 3 (Senior Fellowship).
Supporting programme leaders
The role of a programme leader or equivalent is a key one in institutions and can be anyone responsible for managing a degree programme including its design, delivery, and quality assurance and enhancement. These colleagues are key stakeholders in the student experience and are the key translators of policy into practice, uniquely positioned as ‘change agents’ for teaching and learning (Ellis, 2019; Milburn 2010).
Although Covid-19 has catalysed institutions to focus on the importance of teaching and learning, such roles can often be challenging, requiring stakeholder engagement and management, managing without authority, managing (sometimes cross-disciplinary) teams, persuasion and influencing, and programme accountability. Programme leadership is also often considered a stepping stone for wider leadership roles and can be the start of a leadership journey for many, and as such programme leaders may not have much previous experience in leading others or the support needed to flourish in their role.
The Enhancing Programme Leadership course has been transformative for my role as Programme Director. It helped me recognise my strengths whilst identifying growth opportunities, leading to concrete actions like implementing structured meetings and activities. I’ve learnt to actively engage students and consider multiple stakeholders’ perspectives. The programme’s emphasis on converting challenges into opportunities and exploring different forms of influence has equipped me with valuable leadership tools.”
Cristian Vasquez, Lecturer in Leadership, Sheffield University
Who is the programme for?
Enhancing Programme Leadership is designed for those who have responsibility for leading teaching and learning within their departments or divisions, but who might not necessarily have line management responsibilities. This might include (but is not limited to):
- programme leaders
- directors of learning and teaching
- departmental learning and teaching coordinators
- experienced staff with new teaching and learning leadership responsibilities.
The programme has been designed for those who have recently been appointed into a programme leadership position or those who have been in this role for some time but have had little or no previous leadership development.
How is the programme delivered?
Each of the four modules will involve participants engaging with the following elements to consolidate their learning:
- Approximately 2.5 hours of asynchronous pre-session activities (for example, screencasts, articles, or undertaking a group activity)
- A 2.5 hour synchronous online session (including 30 minutes of breaks)
- Approximately 30 minutes of post-session reflective activity.
Booking Information
Book before 30 September 2026 for an early booking discount.
Event type
Open Programme
Event summary
Enhancing Programme Leadership is an online programme designed to develop the skills and capabilities of leaders of teaching and learning in their institution at a time when they may be new to leadership, or looking to gain confidence in their leadership skills.This programme aims to support programme leaders at a time when they may be new to leadership, or looking to gain confidence in their leadership skills. It will address their unique challenges, opportunities and realities, by developing their networks and skills and providing tools to enable them to thrive in this unique role.
Event times
Thu 21 Jan 2027 – Thu 25 Mar 2027
Event prices
| Enhancing Programme Leadership – 26/27 – Member Ticket | Member Ticket | £860 |
| Enhancing Programme Leadership – 26/27 – Early Booking Member Ticket | Member Ticket (Early Bird) | £820 |
| Enhancing Programme Leadership – 26/27 – Non-Member Ticket | Non-Member ticket | £1145 |
| Enhancing Programme Leadership – 26/27 – Early Booking Non-Member Ticket | Non-Member Ticket (Early Bird) | £1090 |
Why choose Enhancing Programme Leadership?
In response to feedback from the sector, we have designed this affordable and easily accessible programme to support those working in programme leadership roles.
This fully online programme has been developed to provide an accessible and convenient format that programme leaders (or any equivalent roles) can engage with from the comfort of their own desks and in manageable chunks of time (maximum 2.5 hour blocks).
Institutions may wish to develop a cohort of colleagues by sending 5-10 individuals on the same programme, or individuals may choose to attend the programme on a personal basis in order to further their personal and career development.
Programme aims and learning outcomes:
- Consider and critique different leadership approaches, reflecting on the implications for their practice.
- Explore the changing context of HE, analysing the role of key stakeholders (with a focus on Students as Partners and colleagues).
- Analyse learning and teaching challenges and generate solutions to bring about change in the short and longer term.
- Implement influencing skills, considering how these interrelate with, and are underpinned by power, empathy and trust.
- Network with colleagues to explore strategies for enhancing the student experience within the constraints of their context and role.
- Articulate their vision for positively leading and sustaining change in learning and teaching at their institution.
