Partial BKO certificate
As a PhD candidate, you were primarily hired to do research, although you will probably also have to do some teaching. The partial University Teaching Qualification (Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs, BKO) certificate provides recognition that a PhD candidate has gained knowledge and experience as a teacher. To obtain the partial certificate, you are required to teach a small-scale course (for example a series of tutorials), take the LLInC module Teaching in Practice (or a comparable module within your Faculty) and submit a portfolio. You have to demonstrate that you meet the BKO learning outcome “Teaching in practice”.
What does the partial BKO certificate track look like?
The first step is to get in touch with the UTQ (BKO) contact person at your faculty. On behalf of the faculty assessment committee, they will conduct an intake interview with you and explain the steps you need to take to obtain your BKO partial certificate. Your BKO contact person can also put you in touch with a mentor, who will advise and support you throughout your programme. Generally speaking, your mentor will not be your supervisor.
To obtain your partial certificate, you must deliver (small-scale) teaching. In addition, you must take the 'Teaching in Practice' course at LLInC. This is a course comprising three half-days plus preparation. You will also collect feedback from students on your teaching and have your teaching observed by an educational expert and/or an experienced colleague.
Throughout the programme, you will compile a portfolio in which you explain how you meet the various components of the BKO learning outcome ‘Teaching in practice’. The faculty BKO assessment committee will assess, based on your portfolio, whether you have met the learning outcome. The committee uses a rubric for this assessment.
If you meet the requirements, you will receive your BKO partial certificate, signed by the dean of your faculty and the Vice-Rector. The award of your BKO partial certificate will also be recorded in your personnel file.
Partial BKO certificate portfolio
To obtain a BKO partial certificate, you must compile a portfolio. In this portfolio, you collect evidence demonstrating that you meet the BKO competence ‘Teaching in practice’. This gives the assessment committee a clear picture of your qualities. The portfolio consists of your Teaching CV and a reflection report on the competence ‘Teaching in practice’. The portfolio also includes a declaration of originality, in which you confirm that the portfolio contains your own, unique work.
To support your reflection report, you must include supporting documents in your portfolio, such as student evaluations and observation reports. You must also include, where applicable, the Basic English Language Proficiency Certificate (BKE) from the Academic Language Centre.
You must write your portfolio using the ‘BKO portfolio format’ document. Always use the document ‘Guidelines for writing your partial UTQ portfolio’ when writing your portfolio. This includes instructions on the topics to be covered and an overview of the compulsory and optional attachments you must submit with your portfolio.
Please note: your faculty may have different requirements for the portfolio. Your BKO contact person will be happy to provide you with further information
Is it compulsory?
Leiden University actively encourages PhD candidates to teach, and those who do are expected to obtain the partial BKO certificate. Obtaining the partial certificate is a step towards obtaining a full BKO certificate. Also, didactic skills will come in useful when applying for your next job. Some faculties offer PhD candidates the opportunity to develop further and obtain a full BKO certificate.
What if I teach in English?
In that case, you will also need the Basic Qualification in English Language Proficiency English (BKE). The required level is English Language Proficiency Level C-1. To demonstrate that you have reached this level, you can do a language test at the Leiden Academic Language Centre. You should add the certificate to your BKO portfolio.
How does this fit in with the Training and Supervision Plan?
Leiden PhD candidates are expected to follow 2 x 140 hours of training in the course of their PhD appointment. 140 hours are devoted to general academic activities, and 140 hours to training research skills. You make agreements with your supervisor about the details of your plan and record these agreements in a Training and Supervision Plan. The course required to obtain the partial BKO certificate (Teaching in practice) fits within the 140 hours devoted to general academic skills. The course takes 25 hours to complete. Besides the courses you can also include some teaching hours (for a max. of 20 hours) as transferable skills. Your Graduate School can provide a certificate for uploading in Converis.
Partial BKO certificate and full BKO certificate
Some faculties offer their PhD candidates the opportunity to obtain a full BKO certificate. With the partial certificate, PhD candidates can demonstrate that they have already completed some of the work. Please contact your Faculty’s UTQ (BKO) contact person to find out how to turn your partial certificate into a full BKO certificate.