Graduate Training Assistants
GTA combines a PhD with structured teaching training and practice leading to Associate Fellowship of the HEA. Doctoral standards are the same as for a standard PhD.
Workload and pay
- Stipend at the prevailing UKRI rate.
- An additional annually renewed 0.2 FTE contract, described in §9.3 as Grade 5, level 29 with no spinal-point progression.
- Six hours per week teaching activity including all preparation, assessment, planning and related work.
- Flexible weekly distribution, but an absolute 264-hour annual cap over 44 weeks.
- Written workload/timetable/assessment responsibilities at the start of the academic year; changes by mutual agreement with student, supervisors and teaching line manager.
Plan an annual action plan covering both teaching and research. The teaching line manager also attends reviews to assess teaching/training development.
Training and progression
First trimester: assist and become familiar with teaching and School requirements, using peer support. Formal experiential ENRoute training begins in trimester two and continues for 24 months, including specific DLTE induction and two workshops. Associate Fellowship is expected within the first three years.
RD4/RD5/RD6 follow the normal PhD milestone timetable, despite the longer route. In year four no new teaching duties are expected, but standard duties continue under §9.3; do not interpret that as a teaching-free year.
End date and grace
Framework §§4.1/9.3 and D5.1 describe 48 months, while D3.7 says 60 months. Confirm your authorised end date in writing. A grace period may be possible, but it has no stipend and no University teaching contractual obligations under §9.3.
Sources: Framework §9.3, pp. 89–91; Regulations D3.7/D5.1. Read the route guidance.