CPD units and evidence explained
What is a CPD unit?
Subscribers must complete 40 CPD units per year:
- One unit is equal or equivalent to one hour spent on a suitable CPD activity or output
- At least 21 of these units must be verifiable
- Part time staff can complete a pro-rated number of units
Activities and outputs
The scheme recognises the commitment of subscribers in undertaking CPD on an hourly basis leading to the development and improvement of practice. The scheme also recognises that a key part of the role of a business educator lies in the production of outputs. Credit cannot be claimed for the development of the outputs themselves, but credit can be claimed for the reflection and development leading to the output. Such development must be described in a reflective statement if a subscriber is entered into the audit and wishes to submit it as evidence of CPD. The framework below sets out how credit may be received for professional development leading to outputs.
CPD framework
This framework recognises that CPD can come from a wide range of activities and outputs, and permits some non-verifiable activities. The examples given are a non-exhaustive list of suggestions and indicative of verifiable and non-verifiable activities.
Sample submissions of typical CMBE subscribers are provided as examples here.
You can also view real-life examples of CPD undertaken by CMBEs here.
Examples of professional development activity
- Participate in workshops, seminars and webinars to enhance your teaching practice
- Designing and delivering a workshop about an aspect of teaching practice e.g. how to teach large cohorts
- Developing the understanding, knowledge and skills in order to employ TELT (technology enhanced learning and teaching) e.g. class response systems, interactive use of VLE, flip teaching, use of learning analytics, technology-enhanced assessments
- Participate in online course relevant to your CPDDeveloping and updating your subject-specific knowledge (through reading or attending relevant events)
Examples of reflection and professional development leading to outputs
Reflection and development leading to:
- Course design/redesign/accreditation
- Review and update of course content with appropriate reference to employer requirements and expectations of the discipline
- Module design/redesign
- Development of materials to support teaching
- Levels of HEA Fellowship
- Teaching awards (internal and external)
Examples of professional development activity
- Design and deliver a presentation about scholarship in business school education
- Attend institutional/other seminars and workshops pertaining to FHEA and similar accreditation
- Attend seminars etc. as part of PGCert/MEd and similar
- Conducts research into learning methodologies and disseminates best practice
- Edits and reviews a teaching journal or conference submissions
Examples of reflection and professional development leading to outputs
Reflection and development leading to:
- Publication of conference presentation
- Publication of conference paper
- Publication of journal article
- Publication of official website
- Publication of textbook or textbook chapters
- Completion of module of study for e.g. PGCert
- Achievement for the first time of PG Cert/HEA/NTF/other accreditation
Examples of professional development activity
- Active membership of committees (e.g. learning and teaching committee) or Task and Finish groups (must be supported by evidence (i.e. minutes) and informs your practice)
- Acts as External examiner for taught courses
- Community engagement with other external bodies (e.g. Chartered ABS working group or committee)
- Mentoring educators
- Relevant leadership programmes
- Develop or lead institution’s professional development programme/framework
Examples of reflection and professional development leading to outputs
Reflection and development leading to:
- Programme director/course convenor
- Other leadership activities in relation to programmes
- Leading a Course/Programme review or new Course/Programme development
- Senior/Principal Fellow of HEA, National Teaching Fellow, or other other accreditation
- Internal promotion/recognition
Next steps
Find out about the weighting of activities and indicative evidence
Ready to apply? Start your application
