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Institute of Teaching and Learning

The University's New Academics and Fellows Programme (NAP)

The New Academics and Fellows Programme (NAP) is part of a university wide approach to support staff beginning their first academic role at the University of Manchester. The programme is designed to equip new academic staff with the skills, knowledge and networks they need to excel in their roles. 

The programme is designed and delivered by each Faculty to support you in developing your practice within your area. 

Whilst localised delivery is a key feature of the NAP, with each faculty delivering a tailored programme to contextualise learning within specific disciplines, a one University approach underpins the aims, ethos and principles of the programme.  

Aims, ethos and principles

The ethos and guiding principles that shape and inform the NAP include a commitment to high-quality education, continuous improvement, and alignment with the University's strategic goals. All faculty NAPs will be:  

  • Strategically aligned: All faculty NAPs are strategically aligned to the University’s vision and strategic plan, and key sector frameworks such as the Professional Standards Framework for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (2023).  
  • Evidenced-based and evaluated: Take an evidence-informed approach to design, mode of delivery, optionality, and assessment drawing on scholarship and pedagogic research to model, share and disseminate good teaching practice. Programmes will be regularly evaluated to ensure participant feedback shapes and informs course content, delivery and enhancement. 
  • Learner-centred: Programmes will be inclusive by design, incorporating optionality where possible, and will utilise authentic assessment to provide opportunities for practical application. Faculty based delivery enables participants to contextualise learning within their specific discipline.  
  • Collaborative: The NAPs will be collaborative in nature. Programmes will be co-delivered and co-created by a variety of academic and Professional Services staff, will incorporate the Student Voice, and facilitate peer networking to connect you with experts and leaders within local areas.  

The NAP and academic probation

Completion of the NAP is a probationary requirement for all staff new to academic roles at the University of Manchester up to, and including, Reader. This includes achievement of Fellow of Advance HE (or higher). 

This integration ensures that participants not only meet their probationary requirements but also achieve recognised professional recognition for their teaching practice. NAP participants will be supported to apply for Fellow of Advance HE through the University’s Advance HE Fellowships Scheme, as part of their requirement for probationary staff. 

Evaluation and enhancement 

Each faculty is responsible for the development and delivery of its NAP. However, to support continued enhancement, the effectiveness of the support provided across all faculties is evaluated in multiple ways such as: 

  • Participant feedback: participant feedback is sought by faculty teams at key points throughout the programme such as following particular course units and at the end of the programme. Participants can also provide feedback directly at any time. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How does the Advance HE Fellowship Scheme fit with the New Academics Programme (NAP)?

The NAP is delivered in faculties to support and orientate academic staff who may be new to the University and/or new to academia to the role. The NAP is a taught development programme through which you will be supported to develop your academic practice in teaching and learning, research, and service and leadership, and to make connections with other academic staff in your faculty.

Once you have completed (or are nearing completion of) the NAP, you can enrol on the University's Advance HE Fellowship Scheme. As the Advance HE Fellowship Scheme provides an experiential route to fellowship (ie., evidencing what you already do in teaching and learning), this is the mechanism through which you can achieve Advance HE fellowship. You can apply for any category of fellowship however, please note that those required to complete the NAP as part of probation must achieve at least Fellow of Advance HE. 

I'm completing the New Academics Programme, will I be automatically enrolled on the Advance HE Fellowship Scheme?

No - you will not automatically enrolled on the Advance HE Fellowship Scheme if you are completing the NAP. This is because colleagues may complete the NAP at different paces and be at different points of their teaching and learning journey. Your faculty NAP team will signpost you to the Scheme and/or you can join the Scheme at any time. 

Can I use my learning from NAP to apply for Advance HE fellowship?

Yes - when developing your application for Advance HE fellowships, you are encouraged to reflect on how the NAP has influenced your teaching and learning practice as evidence of your continued professional development and professional learning in HE teaching and learning.

Contact

If you have any queries about the New Academics and Fellows Programme (NAP) in your faculty, please contact your faculty team