The overall aim of the programme is to equip new academic staff to operate effectively within the University of Manchester in relation to the full range of tasks associated with their post.

The New Academics Programme in the Faculty of Humanities is designed to fit within the University-wide Framework for the New Academics Programme. The different Faculties have slightly different variations of the programme but all are approved by the Board of Studies (see Section 3 in the Programme Handbook).

The programme has been designed to include elements which address all of the major areas of the University’s mission and impinge on the roles of academic staff. This includes research, teaching and learning, knowledge transfer and the management of academic activities. The programme structure includes components dealing with each of these areas of academic responsibility. A list of the units is provided in Section 4 and a description of each unit in Section 6 of the Programme Handbook.

The modular structure of the programme permits some flexibility in the way in which an individual member of staff works through the programme. For instance, someone with substantial previous experience or training may be given exemption from certain units. In order to cope with the pressures of time that may conflict with the programme schedule, components may be taken at a later stage.

The Faculty of Humanities will be responsible for the coordination of the overall programme for Faculty of Humanities staff, but the running of the programme involves collaboration between Faculty, Schools and University.
The timetable for the Programme can be found in the Programme Handbook. On joining the programme, you will be sent a PDF copy of the handbook by email.

All academic staff appointed to probationary permanent contracts are expected to register for this programme. The programme has been designed to meet the needs of colleagues with the full range of duties associated with a Lecturer contract. However, categories of staff on permanent contracts involving less than the full range of academic duties, in particular teaching-only positions, will only be required to undertake those elements of the programme relevant to their responsibilities, but it is recommended that such staff consider participating in the full programme as this may be of benefit for future career progression. Satisfactory completion of all relevant aspects of the programme is a prerequisite for passing probation.

Although the programme is not compulsory for staff on short fixed-term appointments, it may be of benefit for these members of staff to join the programme and, subject to availability of places, their participation is welcomed.

• Probationary Arrangements for Newly Appointed Academic Staff

New appointees who are already Fellows or Associate Fellows of the HEA, or who can provide evidence of previous training which is equivalent to part of the programme, may request an exemption from attending certain units. Staff should discuss their existing training and qualifications with their Head of School and their mentor to determine if an exemption is appropriate. This discussion should take place close to the time of starting the programme so that it is clear from the start what is expected of a new member of staff. Full details of the exemptions procedures can be found in the programme handbook.

The programme begins in September every academics year and the course components will normally run once per year. It is expected that a new member of staff will normally take 12 months to complete the programme, though this may be shorter if previous experience gives rise to exemptions, or longer, for example, if it has not been possible for a participant to take part in some components when first available.

A record of participation will be kept by Faculty, but each member of staff is also expected to maintain their own record of the units attended.

Assessment methods for satisfactory completion of the programme vary across the different component units. Some requirements are satisfied simply by attendance and participation in the units, some can be met through the outputs of normal operational activities within staff responsibilities, a large number involve specific discussions with the Mentor and a small number require completion of specific tasks. Further specifics of assessment will be found in the Description of units in Section 6 of the programme handbook, where the responsibility for confirming completion is also explicitly stated.

Materials for individual components will be distributed as the programme progresses.

In addition, study materials are provided on Blackboard 9 where participants can find useful documents and presentations relating to the HNAP. To access the material, you will be required to provide the programme administrator with your university login name.

You can find the programme handbook on this page as well as on Blackboard 9. For copies of other documents relating to HNAP, please contact the programme administrator at HNAP@manchester.ac.uk.

Participants will receive a document confirming successful completion of the programme.

The University has been successful in achieving accreditation for the programme from the Higher Education Academy so that those who successfully complete the programme can seek the status of Registered Practitioner.

Relevant training and development opportunities may also be available externally. For example, some discipline associations organise events for early career researchers and the Higher Education Academy supports a number of Subject Centres which disseminate materials relating to teaching in that subject.

The University’s Staff Learning and Development section also offers a wide range of individual courses covering a wide range of topics related to the profession which may be of value to individual members of staff. Full details of the courses available and how to register for these can be found on StaffNet:

• Learning and development - StaffNet