Academic Professional
Level 7 (1.0)
The Academic Professional Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) Explained
As an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), Elevate supports your Academic Professional Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) needs. We provide practical assistance and clear guidance to ensure apprentices are well-prepared for their EPA success. Explore the details of this assessment below, or contact us for more information.
Academic Professionals work in the higher education (HE) sector, including universities, colleges and the private sector, focusing on teaching and research. Their primary role is to develop and share knowledge with students, peers and external stakeholders, advancing their discipline and addressing major challenges. They support various groups, including students, funders, and government bodies, by providing insights into their specialist areas. Academic Professionals engage in ongoing professional development and use relevant technologies to enhance knowledge acquisition.
Through this apprenticeship, individuals will progress from their initial employment in HE to full professional competence, requiring extensive training and experience in core areas and a chosen specialist route, either teaching or research.
Initially, they possess considerable expertise in their subject, typically evidenced by postgraduate qualifications, but they need substantial training to achieve full competency.
The Academic Professional Apprenticeship Standard aligns with the Higher Education Academy’s UK Professional Standards Framework and Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework. Academic Professionals undertake core responsibilities and select one of two specialist routes:
Specialist Role in Teaching: Focuses on teaching and supporting student learning at various levels, from undergraduate to research. This role involves leading the development of teaching practices, pedagogical methods and assessment techniques, supporting diverse learners and incorporating technologies to enhance learning. They contribute to innovative teaching methods for higher-level learning, from HE Certificate to Doctorate levels.
Specialist Role in Research: Involves operating as a principal investigator, identifying research opportunities, securing funding, managing projects and budgets and producing research outputs. This role includes leading research management, overseeing research funding, collaborating with external organisations and disseminating findings. It involves a broader scope of responsibilities than those covered by research degrees, focusing on significant global challenges and funding requirements.
Professional Body Recognition: The Apprenticeship Standard and Assessment Plan are aligned to the current editions of the Higher Education Academy UK Professional Standards Framework (UK-PSF) and the Vitae Researcher Development Framework. A successful apprentice who meets the requirements for the specialist teaching role will be eligible for professional recognition as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Timeline: The Academic Professional Apprenticeship will typically take 18 to 24 months to complete with the end point assessment undertaken in the final 3 months of the apprenticeship.
For additional information about this apprenticeship EPA check out the Academic Professional Apprenticeship End Point Assessment Plan.
Assessment methods
01
Academic Professional Practice
Teaching Specialist Role: One or more (with a maximum of three) recordings (or partial recordings) of teaching and learning-based session(s) demonstrating the design and delivery of teaching, learning opportunities and assessment within the apprentices subject discipline.
Research Specialist Role: One or more (with a maximum of three) recordings (or partial recordings) of academic or professional conference presentation(s) demonstrating both the design and delivery of research within the apprentices subject discipline.
02
Professional Conversation
At the end of the apprenticeship, apprentices will engage in a one-hour Professional Conversation with their Assessor. The Professional Conversation will be focused on the apprentice’s ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the Standard. All Assessors will use an assessment template during the Professional Conversation to ensure consistency across different professional conversations, cohorts and organisations delivering the Level 7 Academic Professional Apprenticeship. The Professional Conversation will include both open and closed competency-based questions. The Professional Conversation will be carried out remotely via video conferencing live to be used with appropriate control measures to ensure equivalence with face-to-face interviews.
03
Written Submission
A 7500 word Written Submission to include the following:
A 3000 word Reflective Commentary.
A 4500 word Annex containing a maximum of 10 pieces of supporting evidence. The Annex must include a mapping of the evidence to the specialist knowledge and skills assessed by this method.
What's the process for EPA?
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Gateway
What does Gateway mean?
Gateway is a crucial stage that marks the transition from the on-program learning phase of an apprenticeship to the final assessment phase. It is the point where both the employer and the training provider agree that the apprentice has acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) outlined in their apprenticeship standard and is ready to undertake the End Point Assessment (EPA). Gateway is essentially a readiness check, ensuring that the apprentice is prepared and has met all the prerequisites, such as achieving required qualifications, completing mandatory training and demonstrating competency in their role. This step is vital for setting up the apprentice for success in their final assessments.
To be all set for the EPA, Academic Professional apprentices need to meet these requirements:
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Have achieved Level 2 English and maths. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and Maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
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Completed all workplace learning and off-the-job training as evidence of the potential to demonstrate professional competence in relation to the required knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) of the standard. The apprentice should only be recommended for EPA when the employer is confident that the apprentice is occupationally competent and ready to undertake EPA.
Fully remote and accessible
With Elevate, apprentices complete their End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Academic Professional Apprenticeship remotely. This flexibility allows apprentices to choose convenient scheduling options, whether during regular office hours or outside them. By providing a remote EPA, Elevate ensures that apprentices have the convenience and flexibility they need to succeed.
Information, advice and guidance
We provide comprehensive Guidance and Information Handbooks for the Academic Professional Apprenticeship, ensuring apprentices are fully informed and prepared. Additionally, our onboarding sessions for training providers cover all aspects of the End Point Assessment (EPA) process, including timelines and best practices. To further support apprentices, employers and providers, we offer a detailed Information, Advice and Guidance video, which includes a section on our 'Hot Tips', to help navigate every step of the apprenticeship journey.
Clear prices, no surprises
Our prices reflect our maximum charge for the standard EPA (excluding reassessments) and are always fair and competitive, ensuring fees remain below the maximum 20% of the total apprenticeship cost. We believe in transparent pricing to support accessibility for all employers and training providers.
Our pricing structure includes a pre-EPA fee, charged during the contracting phase, to secure support materials and assessment booking. The remaining balance is charged upon Gateway entry and EPA booking. We cater to all group sizes and offer a flexible approach to pricing, with tailored options available for larger groups.
In line with regulatory guidelines, we’re open to discussing tailored pricing options to meet your specific needs. Please get in touch to explore how we can work together.
Browse our online guide to understand the distinction between a re-sit and a retake. For additional details, reach out to our team today. Please note VAT is charged for a re-sit and a re-take as these fees are not covered by the apprenticeship funding.
Fee structure | Fees (£) |
|---|---|
End-Point Assessment Service fees | £1,650 |
Pre-EPA Fee (non refundable registration fee) | £150 |
EPA Gateway fee | £1,500 |
EPA re-sit costs for each assessment activity (excluding VAT) | £231 |
EPA re-take fee (excluding VAT) | £1,650 |
Here's what your investment brings
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A flexible and highly responsive service
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Comprehensive support for apprentices, providers, and employers across all the standards we assess. This includes employer EPA onboarding and scheduling meetings, standard-specific apprentice Information and Guidance Handbooks, a flexible booking system and Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) videos.
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All apprentices receive performance feedback within 25 working days of assessment and we take care of the certification process.