Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments
Lead digital transformation in education
Study an executive-level programme that equips you with the fundamentals of organisational learning to lead digital transformation across education.
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Quick facts
100% online study
total programme fee. This can be paid in full or in instalments of £780 every module1
world university2
The future of learning in your hands
Combining topics as diverse as design, technology and artificial intelligence, education, social science, data science and digital development, the Online PGCert Design for Learning Environments will allow you to break down traditional silos and bring about transformational change within learning and education. This uniquely interdisciplinary approach will give you the edge when it comes to progressing a career in this ever-expanding field.
In just 12 months, you will develop the ability to tackle new ways of working, engage with senior leaders, and align learning strategies with organisational goals. Build a portfolio of work that can be directly applied to your career and develop your skills as a knowledge broker, translating and connecting insights from a range of perspectives to drive innovation and enhanced productivity. This makes it ideal for education providers, private learning specialists, in-house training teams and CPD providers.
“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
Career outlook
This programme offers a strong foundation for a growing number of careers that involve leadership, digital transformation, and the integration of technology into educational settings. The market for this type of career is growing, as employment of top executives is projected to grow by 6% between 2023 – 2033 (BLS 2025). Potential career paths could include:
- Chief Learning Officer (CLO)
Lead learning and development strategies within an organisation, ensuring that educational initiatives align with overall business goals. - Director of Digital Transformation
Oversee the integration of new technologies (like AI and data science) into educational systems to improve learning outcomes and operational efficiency. - Education Technology Consultant
Advise educational institutions or corporations on how to leverage new technologies to enhance learning experiences.
As well as equipping you for a career in education or training, our learning design certificate will enable you to build a diverse portfolio of work to showcase your skills to employers.
Unlock your careerAdmissions requirements
For entry onto this programme, you must have obtained (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree from a UK university OR an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
If you do not meet standard entry criteria, we may accept applications with a lower degree and significant work experience. Please speak with us to find out if you are eligible to join the programme.
We welcome applicants with an appetite for learning. Since this programme combines modules from multiple disciplines, expect to cover coding and maths, starting at secondary schooling level and above.
If English is not your first language, you will also need to submit an up-to-date English language certificate. We accept academic IELTS with a score of 6.5 and no less than 6.0 in any band. Other language test scores are also accepted. Please speak with us to find out more.
View requirementsTuition details
The estimated total cost of this learning experience design certificate is £4,680. You can pay in full or in instalments of £780 on a module-by-module basis. All costs are listed, to help you make an informed decision.
Programme fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year. The fees listed above are for the academic year 2024-25.
More tuition detailsStart dates:
February | June | October
Curriculum: Shape your own learning
Run by the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, our learning design certificate features expert lecturers and researchers from a range of disciplines, each bringing a unique perspective on learning environments to the curriculum.
As well as exploring classic and contemporary behavioural, social and cognitive approaches, you will also build digital artefacts and analyse data to enhance the learning experience. You’ll also understand how to tailor these experiences to different learners and to different environments, both digital and physical, to improve learning outcomes.
Explore the curriculumUnable to commit to the full year programme?
We also offer short, 8-week Design for Learning Environments courses, each worth 10 credits toward the full postgraduate certificate in instructional design. These courses offer the same academic qualities and access to the same resources as the full PGCert.
Explore short coursesProgramme outcomes
- Explore the role of design, the processes involved, and current theories and practices
- Develop a digital artefact and implement it in a new learning environment, drawing on new technologies
- Analyse data sets against key tools and frameworks to evaluate teaching and learning techniques
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary learning perspectives
- Examine the learning environment from social and technical perspectives
- Communicate a design proposal and plan a learning environment design
As well as providing the highest levels of convenience and flexibility that 100% online learning offers, the programme is full of interactive elements, like video and group activities, which bring the content to life.
Rather than trying to replicate a campus-based setting online, we’ve built this programme from the ground up, drawing on the latest technology to create a truly unique and immersive student experience.
The online learning environment is not only a window to programme materials, it’s an opportunity to connect directly with your lecturers and other professionals like yourself.
Online ExperienceThis programme is delivered by an interdisciplinary faculty team of designers, researchers, educationalists, and technologists. By exposing you to the latest research, thinking, and practical application of technology from multiple range perspectives, the programme will expand your understanding of learning and the use of technology to transform outcomes.
Professor Nicola Wilkin BSc, PhD, Programme Director, Online PGCert Design For Learning Environments, Director of Education, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Professor Wilkin is a research expert with significant experience in providing strategic leadership for education delivery. With a background in Physics, her research focuses in the areas of ultracold gases, and the flow mechanisms of vortices in mesoscopic superconductors.
Frequently asked questions
You may have some questions about the programme, the university or the online environment. It’s always the way when starting something new. Don’t worry; we’re here to answer them.
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call +44 (0)800 032 7101.
We offer the same opportunities to our online students as our campus-based students. As well as making our careers information and support available online, we offer career appointments to suit your schedule.
Face-to-face sessions are not required for this fully online programme. Visit the curriculum page to learn more.
While there are no mandatory face-to-face sessions on campus, there are opportunities to visit campus if you wish, such as to take part in workshops and industry events. But you can choose to visit campus whenever you like.
The programme fee includes any online resources, such as full access to the online learning platform, course materials, and required digital reading materials. The fee does not include any personal expenses for new technical equipment or office supplies. Visit the programme tuition page to learn more.
Though we don’t offer scholarships for our online degrees, other scholarships and funding opportunities may be available. Alumni discounts are available to previous University of Birmingham students. To find out more, please visit our funding pages.
There are no hidden fees. The programme fee includes any online resources, including full access to the online learning platform, course materials and required digital reading materials. The fee does not include any personal expenses for new technical equipment or office supplies. Tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to a small increase. You can review all tuition costs on our tuition page.
References:
- Programme fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year.
- UNKNOWN (2025) World University Rankings. QS Top Universities [online] Available at: <https://www.topunhttps://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankingsiversities.com/world-university-rankings> [Accessed 10.06.2024]