GTA:Main Page

If you are a GTA Keep on reading, if you are Unit Lead just Pop Over to the Pages for You

Welcome to the Department of Computer Science! This guide on Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) work within the department covers topics such as roles and expectations to pay and holidays. GTAs' support in Computer Science is fundamental to our success in delivering outstanding teaching, learning and the student experience. Your contribution to the Department is equally recognized and valued within the University and is desirably viewed by future employers. As a GTA, you will have the opportunity to attain invaluable work experience in higher education. You are actively contributing to teaching, mentoring, and supporting and assessing students. This will involve explaining new concepts, marking work, providing valuable feedback, and helping with various teaching activities.

But remember the 3 rules of GTA World:

1. A successful PhD is the most important outcome for a GTA;
2. A SUCCESSFUL PHD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OUTCOME FOR A GTA;
3. A SUCCESSFUL PHD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OUTCOME FOR A GTA; and,
4. Simon is always right. 🤣

We hope you enjoy your role as a GTA!

• Simon Harper - GTA Lead
• Ainur Begalinova - Deputy GTA Lead (GTA Culture)
• Bijan Parsia - Deputy GTA Lead (Welfare & Wellbeing)

Or use the comprehensive Index

Purpose	Contact	Email
General GTA queries	Simon Harper	simon.harper@manchester.ac.uk
Wellbeing support	Bijan Parsia	bijan.parsia@manchester.ac.uk
GTA Culture	Ainur Begalinova	ainur.begalinova@manchester.ac.uk
GTA Discord	Discord Join Link	https://discord.gg/2zG8bkzB2F
Anonymous feedback	Feedback Form	https://forms.office.com/e/gUgMcY5yvg
Emergency	Campus Security	0161 306 9966

Overview

This is the handbook (it's a wiki) for GTAs and Unit Leads in the Department of Computer Science which is part of the School of Engineering within the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at The University of Manchester. You are expected to familiarize yourself with this handbook's contents as it contains information about the role of a GTA, the expectations of a GTA, payment, and holiday information.

This wiki is an evolving document that continues to grow in line with developments in graduate teaching roles and with the ever increasing levels of best practices in postgraduate and undergraduate teaching at the University of Manchester. Staff and GTAs are encouraged to become actively involved in improving and extending the way we do things. All feedback is welcome and should be directed to the GTA lead here in Computer Science.

Version: 2025.2 / Dated: October 2025

Although the information contained in this handbook is believed to be correct at the time of publication, the Department reserves the right to make appropriate changes without prior notice; however the Department will endeavor to inform GTAs of any substantial changes affecting process and practices. Please email any errors or suggestions to the GTA Lead. This is a 'good faith' attempt at bringing the relevant information together for Computer Science in one place and in points of conflict the Single Point of Truth is with the organizational unit that originated the underlying documents.

FAQ

The 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.

Contents

1. In General
   • GTA Culture
   • Your Safety as a GTA in CS
   • Contracts and Payments
   • Providing Feedback
   • Feedback to You and Your Employment Record
   • Your Welfare & Wellbeing (Dealing with Problems)
   • University and College Union
2. Training & Accreditation
   • 🎓 Advance HE Fellowship Scheme for Graduate Teaching Assistants
   • Faculty Training
   • Departmental Expectations (it's a TL:DR)
   • Unit Preparation
3. Application & Allocation
   • How to Apply
   • Straight to the GTA Application Portal
   • How the Allocation Works
4. Before Your Session
   • What You Should Expect from CS Unit Academic Staff
   • Before Undertaking TA Work
   • 🚧 Using the GTA Planning Tool (for GTAs)
   • Can’t Attend a Session?
   • Communication
5. The Work
   • In the Session
   • Marking & Feedback
   • Afterwards

Quick Resources

• GTA Application Portal
• CS GTA Cheat Sheet (pdf)
• GTA Induction Presentation (pdf)
• GTA Recruitment (Working as a GTA - pdf)

Contacts & Communications

• GTA Management & Administration
  • GTA Lead & Line Manager: Email Simon Harper
  • CS GTA Administration: Email the School
  • School of Engineering (Canvas Issues, etc): Email the School
  • FSE GTA Admin (Payment Issues, etc): Email the Faculty

• GTA Resources & Training
  • GTA Discord: Join Discord
  • CS GTA Hub: Current Staff GTAs
  • FSE GTA Hub: Teaching Academy GTA Hub

• ⚠️ Emergency Contacts
  • Feeling Unsafe in Session: Shout "I need some help here" in corridor and use SafeZone app
  • Campus Security (Emergency): 0161 306 9966
  • Emergency Services (Internal): 99999
  • Emergency Services (External): 999
  • SafeZone App: Download & Information
  • First Aid: Top floor of Kilburn building (Oxford Road Corridor)
  • First Aid Information: Health & Safety Toolkit

• Session Management
  • Absences: Notify unit leads as soon as possible
  • Finding Cover: Use Discord or contact other GTAs
  • Cannot Find Cover: Inform staff member before session

• Key Mandatory Actions
  • Induction Session: MUST attend at beginning of each semester if working
  • Feedback/Wrap-up Session: SHOULD attend at end of semester
  • Monthly Hours Reporting: Submit via portal
  • Training Modules: Must be completed before undertaking TA work

• Human Resources & Employment
  • People & OD Operations: Contact Information
  • Registrar and Secretary: For disciplinary decision appeals (within 10 working days)

• Financial Matters
  • Payment Issues: Contact FSE GTA Admin
  • Hours Portal: Report worked hours monthly (specific portal link not provided in documents)
  • Additional Hours Claims: Email Simon Harper and cc the unit lead

• Health & Wellbeing
  • Occupational Health Service: Pre-Employment Health Screening
  • Sickness Procedure: (specific link not provided in documents - check StaffNet)
  • Health & Safety: Policy Statement
  • Student Safety & Support: Campus Safety
  • Medical Assessments: As deemed appropriate by the University

• Academic & Teaching Support
  • Unit Lead/Course Unit Leader: For session-specific queries and marking guidance
  • Unit Academic Staff: For problems, welfare concerns, and plagiarism issues
  • Line Manager: For grievances, absences, and workload concerns

• Welfare & Safeguarding
  • Student Welfare Issues: Report to unit lead or appropriate staff member
  • Bullying (Student): Report to unit's academic staff
  • Bullying (GTA): Report to Line Manager (Simon Harper)
  • ⚠️ Feeling Unsafe in Session: Shout "I need some help here" in corridor and use SafeZone app

• Data Protection & Privacy
  • Privacy Notice: Document 37024

• Policies & Procedures
  • Intellectual Property Policy: StaffNet
  • Health & Safety Policy Statement: Document 654
  • StaffNet (General Policies): Main Portal
  • University Statutes & Ordinances: Statute XIII, Ordinances XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, Regulations VIII, XIV, XV