Micro-credential Planning Framework Canvas

The “Micro-credential Planning Framework Canvas” has been built from a research and practice-informed major project focused on developing a stackable micro-credential pilot level 4 Certificate of Higher Education pathway as part of a funded project completed to assist the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) in understanding where micro-credentials could support economic recovery in Wales. Cardiff Metropolitan University, with the support of several higher education and industry stakeholders, led a pilot project to address how to develop and scale micro-credentials provision whilst adhering to the QAA quality guidelines (QAA 2022). The project aimed to advance understanding of the systemic issues affecting the development of micro-credential provision in higher education. With further QAA Cymru funding, the design team developed a micro-credential planning framework canvas to support subject leaders and institutions in scoping, designing, approving, and producing micro-credentials or stackable micro-credentials. The canvas and practice-based questions were used in an AdvanceHE National Conference workshop presented in 2023. This citable scholarly-practice figure aims to support tertiary providers more broadly in initiating planning discussions for the development of micro-credential provision. The canvas represents the author’s original synthesis of research and practice.