UCL Computer Science PGTA info

Process and guidance for CS or eligible IEP modules that need Postgraduate Teaching Assistants (PGTA).

Information for PGTAs

Eligibility

All PGTAs must be resident in the UK and provide evidence of Right to Work (RTW) such as a passport (UK & Ireland) or UKVI share code.

While we welcome external (i.e. not at UCL) applicants, the UCL PGTA code of practice requires that we consider applicants from UCL first.

Computer Science MSc students are eligible to apply for specific Term 2 vacancies to a maximum of 40 hours.

Application and hiring process

  1. Check the relevant vacancies and applying using the form listed on that page.
  2. Wait for the module leaders to contact you. Due to the volume of applications, in some instances you may not be contacted.
  3. If successful, the module leader will advise you of such, and they will then contact the Teaching Support Coordinator to confirm their decision. You may not hear anything further until shortly after the application closing date for each term.
  4. Shortly after the application closing date for applications for each term, the Teaching Support Coordinator will contact you with a summary of your hired hours and details of next steps.
  5. The Teaching Support Coordinator will then submit requests for all hired PGTAs to Computer Science Human Resources ( CS HR) who will begin the right to work (RTW) and contracting process. You must not start work until a member of the CS HR team confirms to you that you may do so, this is a legal requirement.
  6. If not previously attended, book and attend a PGTA Gateway Workshop at your earliest convenience.

Contracts and pay

The PGTA starting salary is paid at Grade 6, spine point 21 pro rata. You will increment a spine point each year of service as a PGTA. UCL salary scales are available on the UCL website.

You will also receive a market supplement of £6,200 pro rata for first your first year of teaching in the department of Computer Science rising to £13,800 pro rata thereafter.

You also benefit from annual leave paid as lump sum at the end of your studies. For more information on the conditions, see HR and finance advice for PGTAs.

For 2024-25 contracts are on a guaranteed minimum hours basis with the hours according to the first confirmation email you receive from the Teaching Support Coordinator. You will submit timesheets for the hours you have worked. If you are confirmed for subsequent modules and hours after the initial contract is requested, the contract will not be updated, you will simply claim the hours up to the revised maximum via timesheets.

For queries related to timesheets, contracts, payroll and right to work contact computerscience.hr@ucl.ac.uk.

Further information

All PGTAs must complete the UCL Arena Gateway Workshop for PGTAs.

Optionally a TA may wish to apply for recognition of their TA skills by applying for a Higher Education Authority (HEA) Associate Fellowship award.

For module specific activities such as marking, supporting tutorials etc., please seek guidance from the module lead.

Further guidance on the TA role can also be found at: