University Teaching Qualification (BKO)
The University Teaching Qualification (UTQ, BKO in Dutch) is a mandatory certification for lecturers, ud's, uhd's and professors with an appointment from 0.5 fte for one year or more (see also University Information: University Teaching Qualification (BKO)). At FSW, the BKO consists of a learning process and the compilation of a portfolio - and possibly the attainment of a Basic Qualification in English (BKE). All information about the BKO at FSW can be found in the Guidelines for writing your UTQ portfolio FSW Edition and the Implementation Regulation FSW. The first step in obtaining your BKO is always an intake interview with the BKO secretary. To plan an interview, email bko@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
Registration
The registrations for the UTQ-trainings (for internal employees) are organized via the Learning Management System SuccessFactors. To enroll, you need a valid cost centre number and project number. Also, your supervisor must approve your participation. The whole process is described in the Registration process manual.
BKO trajectory
The FSW BKO trajectory is offered by the Leiden Learning and Innovation Centre (LLInC) and consists of five BKO modules, each offered at least once a year:
- Designing education
- Implementing education
- Testing and assessment
- Supervising theses
- Inclusive education
Upon successful completion of a module, a partial certificate is awarded. You should add these partial certificates to your BKO portfolio.
Portfolio
When the conditions for the portfolio as described in the Guidelines are met, you send your complete BKO portfolio (incl. attachments, see UTQ portfolio format) to the secretary of the BKO Committee, no later than 10 working days before a meeting.
Note: The same deadline applies to the submission of any exemption requests, or applications for partial certificates
During the meeting, based on your portfolio, the BKO Committee assesses whether you’ve met the UTQ Attainment Objectives. If the committee does not yet assess the BKO portfolio as sufficient, it will indicate on which points revision is needed and will hold the portfolio so the candidate can revise the portfolio. The results of the assessment will be shared with you within 10 working days after the meeting.
If the assessment is positive, the committee advises the dean to grant you a certificate.
N.B. for candidates with a deadline to obtain the BKO before 1 September 2024, they may also use the old documentation, see here:
Exemptions
You may wish to apply for exemption from following (some of) the LLInC training programme based on previous teaching experience and/or previously taken courses or training programmes on didactics. For this purpose you can submit the exemption form to the secretary via bko@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
Practical information and contact
The Implementation Regulations contain information on the costs to be settled.
You can contact FSW BKO secreatry Mieneke van der Salm with questions about procedure and support, or to schedule an intake or appointment via bko@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
Meeting dates
The BKO committee meets on a regular basis. Meeting dates for 2026-2027 are:
- 16 September 2026; submission deadline: 2 September
- 9 December 2026; submission deadline: 25 November
- 17 February 2027; submission deadline: 3 February
- 14 April 2027; submission deadline: 31 March
- 30 June 2027; submission deadline: 16 June
Partial BKO certificate
The partial University Teaching Qualification (Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs, BKO) certificate provides recognition that a PhD candidate has gained knowledge and experience as a teacher.
- Read the university information about the partial UTQ certificate.
- The first step in obtaining this certificate is to make an appointment with the UTQ Coordinator FSW via bko@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.