Design for Learning Environments short courses

Entry requirements

• 2.1 degree (or equivalent) or at least 2 years of relevant work experience in design, computing, or education
• Statement of purpose
• If English is not your first language, standard language requirements will apply. Applicants must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band

Months of entry

March, July, October

Course content

Online education has dramatically increased in recent years, and learning environments in many sectors and industries now incorporate both digital and physical environments.

The 8-week Design for Learning Environments short courses are a fast-track route for professionals keen to focus on one particular aspect of instructional and learning design – a market set to continue to grow in the years to come.

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Build better online spaces within weeks

Each short course offers a cross-section of core skills and knowledge from design, technology, education, the social sciences, data science and digital development. Modules are led by academics and practitioners from education, computer science, theoretical physics, and engineering. All are designers of learning environments and bring their own unique disciplinary perspectives to the programme.

This year has challenged organisations to think differently about education and professional development, and to design learning interventions in new, innovative, and pragmatic ways.

With practical exercises and assessment, you can put new ideas and approaches to the test straight away when designing effective learning experiences in any setting – online, offline, and blended.

These interdisciplinary skills and knowledge are attractive to employers in any sector involved in designing learning environments. By carrying out design activities and analysing existing designs, you will quickly build a portfolio of work to showcase your diverse expertise.

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Current short courses in Design for Learning Environments

Each short course is focused on particular elements of the learning experience, helping you to develop the specific skills your need for your career.

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

Create your own digital artefacts for use in a learning environment, using a piece of contemporary technology.

Applied data science for learning environments

Understand the fundamentals of data analysis using appropriate tools and frameworks to evaluate teaching and learning, and to report findings to a variety of audiences with the aim of understanding the effectiveness of learning environments.

Perspectives on learning

Explore the different perspectives on how we learn and how to help others learn, evaluating the behavioural, cognitive, social, and networked perspectives on learning and 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.

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If you prefer, you can take all the courses by enrolling in the online Design for Learning Environment PGCert programme.

Enrolling in any of these courses will give you access to the same learning experiences as the full PGCert. The Design for Learning Environments short courses are also a great way to get a flavour of the PGCert, while allowing you to focus on the elements you need to support your career goals. If you choose to pursue all 60 credits of the PGCert later, any course credits you have earned will count towards the full qualification.

Fees and funding

For detailed pricing information and to find out more about the payment methods available, please request information and a member of the admissions team will be in touch to discuss your enquiry.