Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University Prof Mary Malcolm said: “It is great to see the University’s innovation in teaching and learning recognised through the funding of these projects, and I hope it will encourage other colleagues to come forward with bids for teaching and learning funding with the potential to extend recognition of our excellence in teaching.”

The University was one of 67 universities and colleges across England to receive a share of £2.8 million from HEFCE to develop small-scale experimental innovations in learning and teaching.

Each institution was able to submit two proposals, one for undergraduate (UG) study and one for postgraduate (PG) study. Bedfordshire was successful in both of its bids.

Bedfordshire’s UG project will look at Gamification and its potential benefits in Higher education and professional practice; and is overseen by Principal Lecturer in Business Systems & Strategy Dr Alexander Kofinas.  The University’s PG project aims to develop students’ relational understanding of the stretch and value of their Masters project proposals, so that they develop their ability to work to, and risk-manage expectations they themselves set in relation to a task brief.

Both projects will run for 18 months with support from HEFCE to share the innovations and lessons learnt across the higher education sector.  

HEFCE’s Chief Executive, Madeleine Atkins, said: “We were delighted by the level of interest from universities and colleges in developing new ways of working and are pleased to be funding such an exciting range of learning and teaching innovations. We look forward to working with the project organisations to share the lessons across the sector.”