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Higher Education Development & Support Institute

Bringing together the support for all involved in education at UCL and to establish a new Higher Education Development & Support (HEDS) Institute.

On this page: What we do |  Support for faculties | Contact us |

What we do

UCL Higher Education Development & Support (HEDS) Institute brings together UCL Arena and UCL Careers. In a sector-leading approach, we offer expertise to educators and prepare our students for their future careers to positively impact on student experience and student journey. 

HEDS will provide: 

  • sector-leading expertise in staff and curriculum development to support excellence in student education experience and graduate outcomes  
  • support for faculties in the development, design and enhancement of programmes, to make sure we provide high quality and inclusive education that aligns to UCL’s core values and education principles 
  • collaboration with faculties and the Students’ Union to empower students through the development and facilitation of co-creation initiatives to enhance the university's education provision and student leadership capabilities 
  • high quality, responsive and collaborative professional development in higher education pedagogies for staff who teach and/or support teaching and learning, including for external recognition (eg: HEA Fellowship)  
  • the lead on enriching the student experience through employability-related business development with employers and other recruiting bodies to facilitate labour market-informed education. Additionally, supporting co-curricular employability activity for students and recent graduates 

Strengthening connections across education and employability excellence, we recognise the distinct expertise and experience in each team. Our education experts in UCL HEDS (Arena) provide guidance for faculties and professional development and recognition for staff who deliver or support teaching.  Our dedicated career professionals in UCL HEDS (Careers) help students and recent graduates to develop their employability skills and prepare for their futures. 

Together, and in collaboration with other support services, the HEDS Faculty Partnership Teams, offer coordinated support to enhance teaching and learning, employability, and skills development across the university. HEDS empowers our community to deliver excellence i education and graduate outcomes. 

The HEDS Annual Report 2023-24, provides an overview of how HEDS has provided high quality, responsive and collaborative support across UCL’s education strategic priorities, in it’s inaugural year.

View the HEDS Annual Report 2023-24 (UCL login required). 

    How we support faculties

    UCL HEDS (Arena): Arena offers a range of support and professional development for those who teach and support our students. We deliver a variety of programmes that aim to improve the quality and consistency of teaching across the institution. 

    • Arena Consultancy: provides support to faculties for pedagogy and practice development 
    • Arena Staff Development and Recognition: Develop and deliver courses for staff that deliver and support education and enables recognition through the HEA-accredited Arena Fellowship scheme.  
    • Programme Development: Work with all new programmes, and many existing programmes, on their learning design approaches, and assessment diversification. 

    UCL HEDS (Careers): Our team of experienced career professionals are dedicated to supporting all current students, researchers (staff and students), and recent graduates . They help you find the right path to make sure success in your future career. They also make sure that you have access to up-to-date global labour market information by facilitating interaction between employers and our community.

    HEDS Faculty Partnership Teams (HFPTs) help faculties and departments in undertaking actions identified through their Faculty and Department Education Plans (F/DEPs) and work associated with the Programme Excellence Project (PEP). 

    HFPTs work together to:

    • look at commonalities across all Faculty Education Plans to share best practice. 
    • consider whether any development activity could be provided on a wider scale where cross-faculty discussion may be useful. 
    • facilitate sharing of expertise at faculty level. 
    • engage student partnerships to support co-creation of solutions. 

    Contact us

    HEDS is based on the third floor, 40 Bernard Street, London, WC1N 1LE. 

    Key contacts