Teaching and demonstrating opportunities for postgraduate researchers
Teaching and demonstrating can be a valuable way to develop your teaching experience, support student learning and enhance your CV while studying for your research degree.
Opportunities may include:
- laboratory demonstrating
- seminar or tutorial teaching
- marking and assessment
- fieldwork support
- workshops and practical classes
- other teaching-related activities.
The opportunities available, application process and recruitment timetable vary by school and faculty. This page explains the general requirements and where to find information about opportunities in your area.
How opportunities are advertised
The way teaching and demonstrating opportunities are advertised varies across the University. In most areas, opportunities are circulated by email, advertised through school or faculty channels, or offered through an annual expression of interest process.
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
Opportunities are managed by individual schools.
School of Design: opportunities are usually discussed through supervisors and the School.
School of History: PGRs are normally invited to register interest in teaching opportunities each year.
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies (LCS): an annual expression of interest process is usually run for the following academic year. Email the School of LCS at lcsmass@leeds.ac.uk for information.
School of Media and Communication: PGRs are normally invited to register interest in teaching opportunities each year.
School of Performance and Cultural Industries (PCI): PGRs are normally invited to register interest in teaching opportunities each year. Email the School of PCI at pci-mass@leeds.ac.uk for information.
If you are unsure about arrangements in your school, email the AHC Graduate School at ahcgradschool@leeds.ac.uk.
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Teaching and demonstrating opportunities are managed by individual schools and advertised through school communications and SharePoint resources.
View the latest information on the EPS Teaching and Demonstrating page (University log in details required).
Faculty of Environment and Social Sciences
Teaching and demonstrating opportunities are managed by individual schools and institutes and advertised through local communications, newsletters and SharePoint resources.
For general advice email the Faculty of Environment and Social Sciences Graduate School on feps_fess_gso@leeds.ac.uk.
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Information about demonstrating opportunities is available through Faculty and School guidance and local communications.
For general advice email the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Graduate School on fbsfmhgso@leeds.ac.uk.
Leeds University Business School
Teaching opportunities are managed locally.
Information about eligibility, training and opportunities is provided through the LUBS Minerva page (University log in details required).
Before you apply
Before undertaking teaching or demonstrating work, you should:
- discuss the opportunity with your supervisor to ensure it will not adversely affect your research studies
- ensure you meet any local eligibility requirements
- complete any required training
- comply with any working restrictions that apply to your visa, if relevant.
Full-time PGRs are normally restricted to a maximum of 250 hours of paid teaching and demonstrating work per year. PGRs studying on a visa may have additional restrictions. Read more about paid work while studying.
Required training
All PGRs engaged in teaching or demonstrating must receive appropriate training for their role.
You should complete the University’s Foundations in Teaching course before beginning teaching duties. Some schools may also require additional local training.
You should also familiarise yourself with the University’s Code of Practice for Postgraduate Researchers Engaged in Teaching.