Principal Fellowship (D4)
Principal Fellows are typically responsible for strategic leadership and policy-making in the area of teaching and learning. The process of applying for Principal Fellowship will be a huge asset to you in developing as an educational leader. Find out more about the criteria, the application process, key dates as well as the support that’s available to you.
Is Principal Fellowship right for you?
Principal Fellowship of the HEA recognises a sustained and effective record of strategic leadership teaching and learning.
Principal Fellowship is typically suitable for
- highly experienced and/or senior staff with wide-ranging strategic leadership responsibilities in connection with key aspects of teaching and supporting learning;
- staff responsible for institutional strategic leadership and policymaking in the area of teaching and learning;
- staff who have strategic impact and influence in relation to teaching and learning that extends beyond their own institution.
To find out more, read Descriptor 4 of Professional Standards Framework (PSF2023).
Ways of applying
Dialogic process
If you decide to apply using the Dialogic process, you’ll need to submit evidence of your practice using an e-portfolio, alongside advocate statements from two referees. You’ll then be invited to a Professional Dialogue to explore and discuss the evidence that you’ve provided.
Written process
If you decide to apply using the Written process, you’ll need to submit a written Account of Professional Practice (APP) and advocate statement from two referees.
Next steps
We suggest that you review the guidance notes and, if you have any questions, send us an e-mail at qma.trp@qmul.ac.uk
Documents and guidance
Deadlines and panel meetings
| Submission deadline | Meeting date |
|---|---|
| 26 September 2025 | 5 November 2025 |
| 16 January 2026 | 25 February 2026 |
| 10 April 2026 | 27 May 2026 |
| 12 June 2026 | 22 July 2026 |
Awards are usually communicated two weeks after the panel meeting.
