Advance HE

As part of supporting and acknowledging excellence in teaching practice and leadership, the University of Adelaide is a member of Advance HE.

Advance HE  (formally known as HEA) provides guidance on strategic change and continuous improvement in higher education internationally. As an institutional member, the University of Adelaide recognises the Advance HE Fellowship program and is able to provide our staff with access to a range of other member benefits including grants and resources.

Opportunities to engage with these member benefits will be communicated regularly through various channels including the Learning and Teaching News. Click here to subscribe or email  teachexcellence@adelaide.edu.au if you have any questions.

HEA Fellowships

The HEA Fellowship demonstrates a personal and institutional commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education. Across four categories, from Associate to Principal, Fellowship provides individuals with international recognition of their practice, impact and expertise in learning and teaching.

Fellowship delivers you a range of benefits: 

  • Consolidates personal development and evidence of professional practice in your higher education career;
  • Provides a valuable measure of success and is increasingly recognised by international institutions;
  • Demonstrates commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience, through engagement in a practical process that encourages research, reflection and development;
  • Fellowship is increasingly sought by employers across the education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion;
  • For individuals, to identify their expertise with the entitlement to use post-nominal letters (AFHEA, FHEA, SFHEA, PFHEA);
  • Provides assurance that your institution is fully aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) and a badge of assured quality. 

Applying for fellowship

Advance HE recently launched a revised Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) and applications aligned to the 2023 Framework are now open.  

The Fellowship application process is not something you can accomplish quickly.  You need to plan and allow time to collect evidence, draft and have peers proofread your application.  Advance HE also offers a proofreading service you may like to take advantage of when preparing your submission.  

Although the University is supportive of staff who wish to apply for Fellowship, the process must be completed directly with Advance HE and not through the University. 

More information is available below. 

  • Which category of HEA Fellowship is right for you?

    Advance HE award four different categories of Fellowship, Associate Fellowship (AFHEA), Fellowship (FHEA), Senior Fellowship (SFHEA) and Principal Fellowship (PFHEA).

    The Fellowship Category Tool has been designed to assist you in selecting the category of Fellowship that is the closest match to your current practice. It is recommended that all staff wishing to apply for Fellowship, first access this tool to ensure they are select the correct category.

    When you have completed all of the sections which usually takes 10-20 minutes, you will be shown your results and a PDF report summarising your responses will be sent to the email address you provide. This will be useful as you start to put your application together for Fellowship or to reflect on your on-going professional development and career aspirations. 

    Access the Fellowship Category Tool

  • Indigenous Perspectives in Learning and Teaching

    This course provides a pathway to apply for the world-first accredited specialist Associate Fellow (Indigenous Knowledges) of the HEA which recognises your effective integration of Indigenous perspectives into specific areas of educational activity.

    Explore the course

  • Advance HE guidance documents for applicants

    A range of resources and templates have been created by Advance HE to assist you in starting your application. 

    To commence we recommend that you sign up to the customer portal - My Advance HE .  Here you will create your profile and will eventually be able to upload your application. 

    Visit this page to select the category for which you wish to apply and access the supporting resources.

  • Review your draft

    Prior to submitting your Fellowship application to Advance HE we recommend that you have a number of peers look over your draft.  These could be members of the University community who currently hold Fellowship status (see the list of Fellows below), or any external colleagues you may trust.

    There are a number of external consultants who can also assist with this proofreading process however, they must be sourced by the applicant themselves.  You would usually expect to pay a fee for this service.

    Applicants may also choose to have their submission reviewed by an experienced Advance HE consultant. The consultant will review the application and provide annotated feedback, including points for further development, by email directly to the applicant.

    This service must be organised by the applicant directly with Advance HE.

    Enquire about our Fellowship support services

  • Send your Application Directly to Advance HE for Processing

    Applications are made online by logging into My Advance HE.  You may need to create an account to log on and create your profile.  This is free.  Ensure your account details are correct so that you receive email correspondence.

    The application process is slightly different depending on the category of Fellowship you wish to apply for.

    For Associate Fellow and Fellow the application consists of an Account of Professional Practice (APP), two supporting statements from referees and payment of a fee where applicable. If you are applying for Senior Fellow (SFHEA) or Principal Fellow (PFHEA) there are additional application requirements.

    Payment information

    When it comes time to enter your payment information select 'my institution is paying'. Please see the fellowship submissions guide for instructions (section 7.2).

    Please also then email us to advise you have logged your application.

Self-guide resources for applicants 

A set of resources  for applicants has been created to assist you with your submission. 

If you have any questions about the fellowship process, please contact the Teaching Excellence Team teachexcellence@adelaide.edu.au  

Accredited Fellows at the University of Adelaide

A number of your peers have taken the plunge and applied for Fellowship. See who they are below.