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Interview process

For the academic year 2023-24, we invite second-year PGRs, third-year PGRs who have not taught before, and part-time PGRs who have not taught before, to apply to determine their eligibility for teaching. Applicants will be interviewed by the Interview Team which comprises two or more of the following: the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Director of Graduate Studies and Deputy Head in term 3.

The interview produces a decision of 'approved' or 'not approved.' Feedback and support are available to candidates who are not approved. A list of interview questions will be circulated prior to the interviews.

PGRs can register interest in honours level teaching in their application by stating the relevant modules on the application form. However, it is normally the case that PGRs teach first-year modules only. Teaching is assigned based on subject-fit, support from the PGR's supervisor, the requirements of the department and, where applicable, previous teaching evaluations. All PGRs must normally complete in-department training during their first year of teaching, to ensure good practice.

Allocation of teaching is done by the Head of Department following the interview process and once our undergraduate numbers are confirmed for the following year. This process takes place from June to September each year, although the majority of teaching is assigned early in the process.


Process for applying to teach:

  1. In the spring term, the Department advertises Senior GTA positions, for contracts valid for up to two years. PGRs submit an application to the University. This process is normally restricted to students within the Department.
  2. Convenors of modules do not appoint tutors.
  3. Following the closing date for applying, the Department will review the applications and invite eligible PGRs to meet with the Interview Team in term 3. Success in this interview process means that PGRs are eligible to be assigned teaching (but are not guaranteed teaching). PGRs will not normally be re-interviewed.

First-year BA module teaching

Second-year PGRs, third year PGRs who have not taught before, and part-time PGRs who have not taught before will be given priority for teaching first-year BA modules: currently 'Modes of Reading', 'Modern World Literature', 'Epic into Novel', and 'Medieval and Early Modern Literature'. Assignment of tutors to these modules will be done by the Interview Team in liaison with the Head of Department and current convenors of these modules.

PGRs teaching for the first time in the department must normally complete in–department training during their first year of teaching, to ensure good practice. They are also encouraged to do the training to become Associate Fellows of the national Higher Education Academy.

In very rare cases, PGRs who have recently submitted and successfully defended the PhD at the viva stage will also be considered to teach on first-year modules. In similarly rare instances, third-year PGRs who have not submitted their PhD will be considered for first-year teaching if the following applies: the supervisor supports it; if previous teaching has been positively appraised in student evaluations; successful completion of the department's teacher training provision; and if academic progress on the thesis is satisfactory.


Honours-level teaching

Honours-level teaching is usually restricted to those who have successfully defended their PhD at the viva stage and submitted a final copy to the Doctoral College. Those who have successfully defended their PhD thesis in the past year will be given priority for honours- level teaching.

In some instances, third-year PGRs who have not submitted their PhD will be considered for honours-level teaching provided: the supervisor supports it; previous teaching has been positively appraised in student evaluations; the requisite teacher training has been successfully completed; and academic progress on the thesis is satisfactory.

However, budget constraints mean that applications for this level are not open for the academic year 2023-24.


Convening modules

Please note that PGRs cannot convene modules, cannot propose new modules, and cannot supervise dissertations at any level within the Department. Only permanent members of staff may convene and propose modules. The convenor of any module must teach at least one section of that module. The Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning (IATL) does have opportunities for PGRs to design and teach new modules.


Cover for permanent staff

Permanent staff who secure funding for research leave are encouraged to be part of the process of seeking replacements for their teaching: replacements will be at least postdoctoral and undergo the same interview process as PGRs. Staff who are absent for other reasons (personal or medical, for example) may also have teaching covered by postdoctoral candidates who must also go through an interview process.