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Foundation module in University Pedagogy

This foundation module is the obligatory first part of the Program for Basic Competence in University Pedagogy and provides an introduction to the basics in teaching and learning at university. 

Why choose this module?

The aim of the Foundation module is to support you in developing your teaching practice by providing a general introduction to central topics in university pedagogy. You will develop a shared vocabulary for describing your own practices, and have time to discuss your own teaching experiences and challenges with colleagues from across the university.

Through practical exercises, you will get the chance to experience and try out different methods for engaging your students. Together, we explore various digital tools and share good practices for how to integrate them in your own teaching.

Groupwork among three module participants
 

In this module, you learn about

  • Theoretical and practical perspectives on learning and teaching in higher education.
  • Learning environments and learning technologies.
  • Course design, teaching, supervision and evaluation of teaching.
  • Student assessment and feedback.
  • Collegial peer-feedback and peer-mentoring.
  • Discipline-specific pedagogies.
  • Sustainability and teaching.
  • Professional responsibility as a university teacher, including ethical and relational aspects related to teaching.
  • Documentation of pedagogical development.

Organisation

  • 5 plenary meetings, total of 33 hours. Meetings include various activities and rely to a high degree on participants’ involvement. Mini-lectures are held by the module leaders and invited experts, while participants are expected to engage in group-work, which includes sharing experiences and ideas from their own teaching, practical work with design of teaching activities, presentation, assignments and discussion of both module literature and selected cases or problems.
  • Personalised competence development component, total of 7 hours. Participants attend self-chosen events at UiO or work with online resources that have a clear relevance for the participant's pedagogical development.
  • 7 meetings with the peer mentoring group, total of 40 hours. Each group includes 5 participants and is facilitated by a university pedagogue. Each group has a start-up meeting and a final reflection meeting with their facilitator. In between, each member will be observed by the other group members during a realistic teaching session and receive constructive feedback afterwards. This amounts to a total of seven meetings over the module period.
  • Own work between meetings, including readings and written assignments, total of 20 hours.
  • Teaching statement -teaching philosophy, total of 20 hours.

Practical information

  • The spoken language is English. You can write your assignments in a Scandinavian language.
  • The application period for the spring semester of 2027 will open on October 1st, 2026 and close on November 11th, 2026.
  • Participants include Academic staff at the University of Oslo.
  • Module Scope is 120 hours, inclusive face-to-face meetings, assignments between meetings, work in peer mentoring groups and the completion of a teaching statement.
  • Admission requirement: You need to have own teaching duties that take place in the period between the first and last peer mentoring meeting.
  • Requirements for participation: 80% attendance in the module is required.
    Attendance at the first meeting/lecture is MANDATORY and requires an overnight stay at the hotel.

Module dates spring 2027

Mandatory sessions

The detailed program will be published on Canvas before the start of the module.

Module dates fall 2026

Mandatory sessions

In addition one session, you will meet you peer mentoring group 4-5 times for observations during the module period. Dates will be set during the first plenary meeting.

The detailed program will be published on Canvas before the start of the module.

Transport and accommodation

  • The first two plenary meeting days take place at a hotel with an overnight stay.
  • Please note that there will be no transportation provided to Voksenåsen Hotel in Oslo, so you will need to make your own way to the hotel.
  • The module is free of charge for employees at UiO.
    Please be aware that accommodation costs for the first session are not included. These expenses will either be invoiced to and covered by the participant's unit at UiO or paid directly by the participant upon departure. If the participant's unit is to cover the costs, prior approval must be obtained from the Administrative Head of your unit.
  • If you are unable to attend, please notify us at least three weeks prior to the first module date. Otherwise, your Department/Unit will be charged with a fee, based on the hotel’s regulations for cancellations.

 Logg på Canvas 

Application information

Spring 2027

EVU-web opens on October 1st, 2026 and the application deadline is November 11th, 2026.
 

Apply now