Leiden Learning & Innovation Centre

University Teaching Qualification

On this page, you'll find comprehensive information about the training sessions that support your journey to obtaining the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) — an integral component of professional development for educators.

The trajectory

The UTQ , known in Dutch as ‘Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs (BKO)’, is esteemed across Dutch universities as a quality indicator, providing a credible benchmark for didactic competencies.

Your pursuit of the UTQ begins with an intake session with your faculty's contact person, followed by engagement with our tailored UTQ training modules. As you progress, you will compile a professional teaching portfolio and take part in an in-class observation to evaluate your teaching. Please note, specific requirements and procedures may vary across faculties. For precise guidance and to understand what this means for you, consult this page and reach out to your faculty’s UTQ coordinator prior to module registration.

Participating in our UTQ training modules

The training modules are designed for teachers to reflect on and develop all facets of teaching as part of their trajectory to obtain their UTQ. The modules are organized around the following topics:

Teaching in practice
Supervising students
Testing & assessment
Designing education
Inclusive education.

These sessions are not only for Leiden University staff; we welcome external educators seeking to elevate their teaching practice. Explore upcoming sessions and enroll through the UTQ module overview.

Frequently asked questions

General

An overview of the UTQ modules is available here. Upon selecting a module of interest, you’ll find available upcoming sessions by navigating to the registration system.

Some departments have their own schedules:

FGGA: Checkout this page for the schedule at the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs.
LUMC: request the schedule through bko@lumc.nl.
LAW: request the schedule via the UTQ contact person.

The modules do not need to be followed in a certain order. Plan your participation with your UTQ contact person and subscribe based on your needs and availability.

For Leiden University staff, supervisors will receive an approval request upon your registration. Once approved, your registration is complete and payment will be handled with your department. External attendees should provide invoice details during registration. Note that there's a price difference for internal and external participants, with Erasmus University Rotterdam and TU Delft employees paying the same rate as those from Leiden University.

A module usually consists of several training sessions. Every session takes 4 hours (the general module scheme can be found here) and an additional 4 hours of preparation time. Overall, you will need to block 9 half days to attend the face-to-face sessions and time to do the homework.

Sessions are hosted at PLNT, Langegracht 70, Leiden. At the ground floor we have a meeting space. At FGGA, LUMC and LAW the training is hosted at the faculty itself.

New dates are released biannually, typically in March and November. If sessions are full, you can opt for the waiting list and you'll be notified automatically when a spot opens up.

Modules are available in English and Dutch. The language of each session is listed in the course calendar. Please switch the website’s language to find sessions in your preferred language.

The UTQ trajectory consists of several face-to-face training modules (with homework), the creation of a portfolio and have an observation of a class you are teaching. For specific information on the duration of the track at your faculty you can contact your UTQ contact person.

Look at this page or contact your UTQ-contact person.

Have a look at our workshop opportunities and get in touch through hello@llinc.leidenuniv.nl.

Registration, payment and cancellation

Access the UTQ module overview.
Select your desired module.
Leiden University employees: click ‘registration (staff)’ to proceed to the registration system.
External participants: use the button for external participants and email the completed and signed form to  trainingoffice@llinc.leidenuniv.nl.

Notes:

Upon sign up in the registration system for Leiden University staff, your supervisor you receive a request for approval. Make sure to receive approval of your supervisor in time (12 days before the training begins) so that you are officially registered.
When supervisors don't find the email with the request for approval, make sure to check the spam folder for emails coming from noreply@leidenuniv.nl.

12 days before the start of a training, the registration closes. The training is then no longer visible in the system. This is due to the preparations all trainings require, please register for a different session. If sessions are full, you can opt for the waiting list and you'll be notified automatically when a spot opens up.

If you don’t see any training options in the registration system, this may be a technical issue. Please send an email to trainingoffice@llinc.leidenuniv.nl.

Should you miss a significant part of the training, contact us at trainingoffice@llinc.leidenuniv.nl to join a subsequent session, subject to availability.

Cancellation is possible up to 12 days before the training start date without charge. Cancellations after this time, no-shows, or inability to attend will be charged. Leiden University employees must cancel through the registration system, external participants by contacting trainingoffice@llinc.leidenuniv.nl.

After taking part in the training modules, you receive a certificate for proof of participation. This is not your qualification yet, you can use this to prove you have taken part in the training modules.