Senior Teaching Qualification (STQ)
Twice a year, faculty boards nominate qualified teachers to partake in the Senior Teaching Qualification programme (STQ) of the University of Groningen. The STQ programme is intended for experienced teachers who:
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have demonstrated an impact on student learning on course level and now wish to contribute at programme or department level;
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have the ambition to lead educational improvement projects in their faculty/department/programme; and
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stand out due to their commitment and dedication to high-quality education.
What to expect
As a project-based learning path, the year-long programme is organised around the project of each participant. These innovation projects seek to improve education at programme level by working with multiple stakeholders across the faculty (or university). It is expected that the projects are chosen by the candidate but are developed and implemented in partnership with direct supervisors and/or faculty administration. The STQ concludes with both an individual portfolio and symposium presentation.
In support of these projects, the programme consists of: seven workshop sessions with peers from across the university, regular peer consultations, guest presentations, and meeting(s) with ESI educational advisors.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the STQ programme, the STQ candidate will:
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develop and finalise a personal educational vision statement, which will link the candidate’ personal beliefs/values of educational quality to their STQ project.
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deepen their knowledge and practice of programmatic quality assurance which can include testing, evaluation, and teaching methods.
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lead educational innovations or improvements beyond their own course level to programme or department initiatives.
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demonstrate their ability to collaborate with colleagues at varying organisational levels (i.e. students, teachers, directors or faculty boards)
Practical information
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Dates
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The 20th STQ group starts in April 2026. Workshops are on the following days: The next Dutch run of the STQ programme starts in September or October 2026.
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Time investment
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Participants are expected to be able to invest sufficient time in both the STQ on-site workshop days as well as the project to be contributed. 100 hours (programme: 50 hours; peer feedback sessions: 15 hours; preparation: 35 hours). This does not include the time spent working on the STQ improvement project. Participating in all meetings is mandatory. |
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Number of participants
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Max. 14 participants |
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Main language
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English |
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Certificate
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Participants will be awarded a STQ certificate upon positive assessment of their STQ portfolio and a final presentation about their project during a symposium. |
Who can join?
To be eligible for participation in the programme, teachers need to have an appointment of 0,4 FTE or more and have taught at university level for at least 4 years, after obtaining the UTQ. Furthermore, the implementation of an improvement project is an important part of the Senior Teaching Qualification. Participants must have (or be given) responsibility for an improvement project that takes place at programme level that is in line with the strategy of the UG or faculty/program.
Before attending the STQ programme, there will be an intake interview with the STQ candidate. The purpose of this interview is to inform the candidate about the STQ programme, to discuss their ideas for the improvement project, and to clarify mutual expectations.