UK universities offering teaching assistant jobs for postgraduates

Postgraduate students are anxious about the cost of living crisis. Or at least that’s what the result from Savanta ComRes’s poll suggests. Like many, they likely feel the crunch as they pay for food, rent and utilities. 

Fortunately, teaching assistant jobs are an accessible option for postgraduate students in the uK. Payscale reports that the average base salary for the role is 16,268 pounds per year. 

It will help students to brace through the current economic climate. GOV.UK notes that students must demonstrate that they have 1,023 pounds to 1,334 pounds per month to sustain themselves financially throughout their time studying in and out of London, respectively.

Figures from the National Student Money Survey 2021 show that over three-quarters of students struggle to make ends meet and 76% of students considered dropping out.

With a teaching assistantship job, you avoid these and learn your course materials better in the process. Here are four UK universities where master’s students can apply for teaching assistant jobs: 

Like its name implies, a teaching assistant helps professors prepare lesson materials and equipment. Source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP

4 UK universities offering teaching assistant jobs for postgraduates

University of Liverpool

Voted as one of the top five friendliest cities in the world by Rough Guides, Liverpool is home to over 7,000 international students. Six in 10 graduates choose to remain in the city after their studies. 

Graduate Teaching Assistantships here are open to applicants with a strong academic track record and passion for research. Supervisors and a designated teaching mentor will support GTAs in their roles. 

Like any teaching assistant job, this is a paid role. The university pays for the student fees, and they will receive a stipend covering their living costs. 

Interested in becoming a GTA? Click here to discover any vacancies advertised under the “Studentships” section of the University’s Job Vacancies page. 

University of Glasgow 

Apart from being the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of Glasgow ranks among the world’s top 100 and has been named Scottish University of the year in the Times Higher Education World Rankings. They are also relatively well-known for pursuing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

A postgraduate education here, regardless of your programme, is your chance to create an impact. Students here learn knowing that they will contribute towards the SDGs.

The university is also opening opportunities for students to be part of that pursuit, namely through Graduate Teaching Assistantships. Their duties involve conducting tutorials and undertaking other teaching-related duties for first and second-year undergraduate students.

Contact the relevant graduate school for information on teaching assistant jobs available at your desired department. 

University College London 

Located in the “Knowledge Quarter” of London, which includes over 75 academic, research, cultural, media and technology institutions large and small, University College London (UCL) is a member of the Russell Group and has one of the largest postgraduate offerings in the UK. 

Postgraduate research students here are provided with various opportunities to teach under the UCL Postgraduate Teaching Assistants (PGTAs) programme. Among them are: Pharmacology/Medicine, Orthopaedics, Anthropology and Computer Science. Some of these may be restricted to certain departments while others are open to all. 

Each of the teaching assistant jobs is of varying durations, requirements and pay grades. For more information on how to apply, it’s best to check under the respective position. 

University of Manchester

With a reputation of being a research-led institution, the University of Manchester is ranked ninth in the Impact Rankings 2022. Those interested in applying for teaching assistant jobs have to meet these criteria:

• A first degree in a relevant subject
• Registered as a postgraduate research student at the university or be in possession of a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject area or professional qualification 

Other qualities highlighted include good presentation, communication and analytical skills, and empathy with issues undergraduate students may face. It goes without saying, interested applicants are also expected to have a thorough understanding and interest in the subjects being taught. 

To ensure the university’s teaching quality standards are kept, the university will in turn offer high-quality training and support to help you in your career development. Teaching assistantships are only offered under the School of Social Sciences.

If you want to pursue a PhD in this economic climate, consider these countries that offer high PhD stipends.