Teach while you study
Teaching is an important part of academic life and can offer a valuable addition to your portfolio of skills by improving your confidence and your ability to explain and engage people with your research.
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Opportunities
Through our Graduate Teaching Assistant programme, you can apply for opportunities such as laboratory demonstrating, facilitating tutorials or seminars, invigilating, marking and teaching-related administration. Your department will have a GTA Coordinator who will be able to tell you more about the opportunities available in your subject area.
Teaching positions are awarded on a competitive basis. Some research students are not eligible to apply for teaching opportunities (eg due to residence outside the UK and/or visa status). All postgraduate researchers (PGR) are bound by University restrictions on the maximum number of hours that they can work and additional restrictions may be imposed by funders or sponsors.
Why teach?
As a PGR, you work at the cutting edge of your field. Teaching is a great way of sharing your enthusiasm and expertise with undergraduate students. You'll also develop your skills in creativity and innovation and it will help you to reflect on the impact of your research and why it is important. Teaching adds skills to your CV that can significantly enhance your career potential.
Training and support
We provide you with a rich portfolio of training and support to develop your confidence and expertise in teaching in an international research environment.
All postgraduate researchers who wish to teach first attend an induction workshop, Introduction to Teaching and Learning, which is tailored to support typical teaching roles for your career stage. Your department will also offer you additional support while you teach.
Subsequently, you have the option to engage with further training and development either through structured courses and schemes (leading to professional recognition for your teaching), or on an ad-hoc basis through joining our lively community of staff who teach or support student learning.
York Professional and Academic Development (YPAD) scheme
If you are a more experienced teacher, you can also secure recognition as an Associate Fellow of the HEA through engaging with YPAD, a project-based mentored scheme.
Teaching Networks and Events
You are also welcome to network with staff who teach through participating in the Teaching and Learning Forum (Forum) or the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Network (SoTLN).
Both groups organise regular lunchtime workshops and seminars. Additionally, Forum organises an annual conference in teaching and learning and the SoTLN runs an annual colloquium. These provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, investigate current and seminal research on teaching and learning, share good practice and celebrate success.