GTA:FAQ
TL;DR
This FAQ provides essential information for Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester. It covers eligibility, application procedures, training requirements, payment processes, responsibilities, and support resources. Whether you're considering becoming a GTA or are already teaching, this guide will help you understand your role and navigate the GTA system effectively.
1. Why have I not been allocated GTA Work?
There are typically three reasons for this (1) You applied late and all the allocations have gone; (2) you didn't add enough preferences (in this semester and in CS units) and as we work on first come first served all of your preferences have been allocated before you; (3) As per 2 for for skills.
2. Why have I not been Paid?
Typically this is because either you did not agree to your contract before the pay deadline of 20th of the preceding month and so you will be paid the contracted amount (subject to you being available) but you'll get paid over less months but more per month or there could be an error (it occasionally happens) so email FSE-GTA-ADMIN
3. Who is eligible to become a GTA?
To be eligible as a GTA, you must:
- Be enrolled on a postgraduate research (PGR) programme (PhD, MPhil, or Masters by Research) at the University of Manchester
- Have permission from your supervisor(s) before starting any teaching work
- Not be in the final 6 months of your research period
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Note: If you hold a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa, you are not eligible to work as a GTA
For international students with a student route (Tier 4) visa, you can work as a GTA but are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week (including all paid, unpaid, and voluntary work).
4. How do I apply to become a GTA?
The application process involves three steps via the FSE GTA portal at [1]:
Step 1: Answer core questions about your suitability for GTA work
- Indicate visa restrictions
- Specify desired workload (light, half, normal, or high load)
- Indicate breadth of ability to support multiple topics/course units
Step 2: Declare your skills required to support course units
- Select relevant departments
- Rate your competency in various academic skills
Step 3: Indicate experience and preferred course units
- Select course units you're interested in supporting
- Declare your level of experience with each unit
Applications can be edited until the deadline (typically late August for Semester 1).
5. Can I work as a GTA on a course I'm currently taking?
No. PGRs cannot be engaged as GTAs on any module that contributes to a programme on which they are enrolled.
6. How many hours can I work as a GTA?
The maximum hours are:
- 120 hours per semester (maximum)
- 24 hours per calendar month (maximum)
- Total hours include teaching delivery, preparation, marking, mandatory training, and all related activities
These limits are in place to ensure your GTA work doesn't interfere with your primary goal of completing your PhD.
7. What activities count towards my GTA hours?
All of the following count towards your contracted hours:
- Teaching delivery (workshops, labs, tutorials, seminars)
- Preparation time for sessions
- Marking and providing feedback
- Mandatory training modules
- Attending meetings with course unit leads
- Laboratory demonstrations
- Script checking during exam periods
- Replying to student enquiries (within reasonable limits)
8. What training must I complete before I can start teaching?
Compulsory Faculty Training (must be completed in your first semester of GTA work):
- FSESS8200 Learning Outcomes & Lesson Plans
- FSESS8201 Roles & Expectations
- FSESS8204 Teaching Skills
Role-Dependent Training (if applicable to your duties):
- FSESS8202 Marking and Feedback
- FSESS8206 E-Learning & Blackboard (online)
- FSESS8215 GTA Script Checking
Compulsory University Training:
- Health and Safety
- Diversity in the Workplace
- Information Security & Data Protection
- Fire Awareness Training
You must complete all relevant training before undertaking any teaching activities.
9. Will I be paid for attending training?
Yes. You will be paid for all mandatory training hours that you attend. This time counts towards your overall contracted hours.
10. How does the payment system work?
GTAs are paid on a fixed monthly schedule:
- You are contracted for a specific number of hours at the start of the semester
- Payment is divided into four equal monthly instalments across the semester
- Payment is made monthly in arrears by direct bank transfer on the penultimate working day of the month
- If you work additional hours beyond your contract, these are paid at the end or in the following month
Example: If contracted for 40 hours in a semester, you receive 10 hours of pay each month (October, November, December, January), regardless of when you actually work those hours.
11. What happens if I work more or fewer hours than contracted?
Working More Hours:
- Additional hours must be approved by your course unit lead
- Email your GTA lead (Simon Harper for CS) and CC the unit lead to claim additional hours
- Excess hours are paid at the end of the semester or in the next month if you've significantly exceeded your allocation
Working Fewer Hours:
- If you don't work your contracted hours, this results in an overpayment
- The amount overpaid will be deducted from your salary in accordance with your contract (clause 28)
- A repayment plan may need to be agreed
12. How do I declare my hours?
At the end of each month, you must report your worked hours in the GTA portal, even if you worked zero hours that month. You'll receive automated reminders to complete this. The portal is accessible at: [2]
13. What are my main responsibilities as a GTA?
Your key responsibilities include:
- Turning up on time for every scheduled session and staying for the entire duration
- Actively engaging with students during laboratory demonstrations and workshops
- Preparing for sessions by reviewing course materials on Blackboard beforehand
- Marking student work fairly and providing constructive feedback (where applicable)
- Monitoring attendance and recording it in the SEAtS system
- Ensuring laboratory safety and promoting health and safety best practice
- Being professional towards students, fellow GTAs, and academic staff
- Communicating effectively with the teaching team and reporting any problems to the course leader
- Maintaining confidentiality regarding student marks and marking schemes
14. What should GTAs NOT do?
GTAs should NOT:
- Have sole responsibility for teaching, marking summative assessments, giving feedback, developing online materials, or pastoral care (all must be supervised)
- Write references for students
- Set summative assessments
- Show students the marking scheme or other students' marks
- Handle student welfare issues alone (refer to unit lead)
- Bring laptops or engage in PhD work during sessions (unless required for GTA duties)
- Work on their PhD during scheduled teaching sessions
- Exceed the 120 hours per semester limit
15. What should I do if I need to miss a session?
If you cannot attend a scheduled session:
- Notify the unit lead as soon as possible (before the session)
- Try to find cover from another GTA on your unit first
- If unable to find cover from your unit, try to find another GTA and provide them with necessary materials
- Use Discord as a resource to find cover
- If unwell, follow the sickness procedure and report sickness hours online
- Remember: if you're ill, don't come to work – it's that simple
Never just fail to show up without notifying anyone.
16. What should I know about health and safety?
Emergency Procedures:
- In case of emergency: Contact 0161 306 9966 (Campus Security) or use the SafeZone app
- Emergency services: Dial 99999 (internal) or 999 (external)
- First Aid and Mother & Baby room: Top floor of Kilburn Building on Oxford Road Corridor
Fire Safety:
- Respond to all fire alarms (except weekly tests)
- Kilburn Building uses a two-stage alarm:
- Stage 1 (intermittent): Be prepared to evacuate
- Stage 2 (continuous): Evacuate immediately
- Never use lifts during evacuation
- Don't return for belongings
- Go to the building assembly point
Laboratory Safety:
- Monitor safety and good working practice of undergraduates in laboratories
- Ensure laboratories are used and left in a safe working state
- Promote health and safety best practice
Download the SafeZone app to your device before starting work.
17. What support is available if I'm struggling with my workload?
If you feel overwhelmed or that your GTA work is affecting your PhD:
- Discuss with your supervisor(s) – they need to know if teaching is impacting your research
- Contact your GTA lead – notify them if you're undertaking too many GTA hours
- Speak with the course unit lead – if you're struggling with specific sessions, ask for advice
- Reflect and seek feedback – discuss what went well and what could improve
Remember: Your primary role is as a researcher. GTA activities should not take precedence over completing your PhD.
18. What should I do if I experience bullying or harassment?
- If you think a student is being bullied: Report this to the unit's academic staff immediately
- If you think you are being bullied (in person or online): Report this to your line manager (your GTA Lead)
- You can also refer to the University's Dignity at Work and Study Policy
- You should not try to handle bullying situations yourself
19. What are the performance standards expected of GTAs?
Staff expect GTAs to:
- Attend all sessions on time and stay for the entire duration
- Be visible by wearing a lanyard or badge
- Be professional, approachable, and friendly
- Actively engage with students rather than sitting passively
- Prepare thoroughly by reviewing materials on Blackboard beforehand
- Have good communication skills for individual and group settings
- Be fair and unbiased to all students
- Mark fairly and provide constructive feedback
- Be empathetic and patient with students learning new concepts
- Raise concerns appropriately to unit leads or staff
- Reflect on performance and seek to improve
20. Am I entitled to annual leave as a GTA?
Yes. The paid leave entitlement is:
- 33 days plus 8 bank holidays pro rata per year
- Leave year runs from 1 October to 30 September
- Leave accrues at the rate of 1 hour for every 5.35 hours worked
- All accrued leave is paid for monthly and taken at the end of the semester in which it accrued
- Additional hours worked and additional leave accrued must be recorded on a monthly teaching assistant adjustment hours timesheet
Special leave (pro rata based on full-time allowance of one week per year) also applies. For a full-time working week, 35 hours is used as the basis.
21. What happens if I'm ill during my GTA contract?
If you're absent due to sickness or injury:
- No payment will be made unless you qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- For short-term absence, try to arrange for a colleague to cover your teaching (with verbal approval from your discipline head)
- If you can arrange cover, the absence won't be treated as sickness absence
- Report your sickness using the online form as soon as possible
- Comply with the University's procedures for notification and verification of sickness absence (outlined in the Sickness Policy)
- Failure to comply may disqualify you from receiving SSP
Remember: If you're ill, don't come to work. Notify your course unit lead before the session if possible.
22. Where can I find additional resources?
For more information, visit: