The University's first responsibility is to the integrity of the study and quality of the student's learning experience. Accordingly, Faculties/Schools and students are required to give first consideration to the successful and timely completion of research studies, within the terms of the University's formal offer of admission.
The University is unable to control employment undertaken by a student outside the University, but the student is advised to consider carefully the effects that such employment may have on the timely completion of their studies, and the provisions in section 4 (below) shall apply. Supervisors should be consulted by the student and, where appropriate, students should be reminded of any conditions set by their sponsor. In some cases, such conditions may require the supervisors to inform the sponsor if it is felt that their external employment may impede academic progress.
The following guidelines do not affect or limit work or placements that may be arranged as a formal component of an approved course or programme of research.
2.1
General Requirements
In all cases of application for University employment during full-time studies by enrolled postgraduate students, it is the responsibility of the Faculty/School through the written permission of the research supervisors, to ensure that any paid employment offered by the University is:
2.2
Such written advice (on each of the points listed in 2.1) is to be supplied by the research supervisor to the Human Resources Department, and must receive written acknowledgement and approval, before employment may commence.
2.3
The following guidelines should be applied to all full-time postgraduate students, including privately sponsored students and those holding University research studentships.
There is broad agreement between UK sponsors in the matter of subject-related paid employment (mainly teaching and demonstrating). This permits employment, with the express permission of the supervisors, to a maximum of 6 hours in the working week (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) averaged over a Semester* Semester and Term Dates - Swansea University. The maximum permitted will be 180 hours per year.
*A semester lasts for 15 weeks which is where the figure of 90+90=180 hours per annum is derived from, as it excludes breaks in the calendar.
A small amount of non-subject-related work is permitted for full-time students, generally outside normal working hours (i.e. outside 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday), only with the express permission of the supervisors and only when such permission is granted with full acknowledgement of the terms of the sponsoring body. In some cases, this will require the prior approval of the sponsoring body. In the case of full-time students who are privately funded or holders of University postgraduate research studentships, the maximum shall not exceed 6 hours per week averaged over a Semester* Semester and Term Dates - Swansea University. There is no limitation in employment hours for part-time students, but students should be mindful of their total working commitment and the consequences of excessive working hours, with first consideration to be given to the successful and timely completion of research studies, within the terms of the University's formal offer of admission.
*A semester lasts for 15 weeks which is where the figure of 90+90=180 hours per annum is derived from, as it excludes breaks in the calendar.
4.1
The limitation on employment hours covers a student’s minimum and maximum candidature period, up to the point of first thesis submission (i.e. for examination), see below.
4.2
Full-time students are permitted to take up full-time employment after they have submitted their thesis and are awaiting examination or undertaking corrections. Students should carefully balance the management of any thesis corrections/reworkings at the viva with their employment (including an outcome of Resubmission), to ensure corrections or thesis resubmission is achieved within the specific timeframe. Supervisors should note the possible requirement for two external examiners if a student becomes employed within the University.
4.3
For students holding Student Route (previously Tier 4) visas, it should be noted that whilst the conditions of their visa may permit a 20-hour weekly working limit (until students have been awarded their qualification), the Swansea University academic regulations of 6 hours per week takes precedence and applies to all postgraduate research students irrespective of home, EU or International student status, until the point of first thesis submission. Following thesis submission, and if in line with their visa conditions, Student Route visa holders are restricted to the 20-hour weekly working limit until they have been awarded their qualification. Thorough weekly records of any work undertaken should be kept. A week is defined as Monday to Sunday. Voluntary work (even if it is unpaid) should be included in the 20 hour a week limit. Those studying part-time are not permitted to work. Student Route visa holders cannot engage in business related activity or be self-employed and should check the Biometric Residence Permit (visa) for their work status.
4.4
Students should be dissuaded from submitting their thesis earlier than is appropriate, for the intention of taking up full-time employment. Students should be mindful of the quality of their submission with regards obtaining a favourable outcome at the viva.
Short term work placements in companies, whether paid or unpaid, and other collaborative links which will develop industrial/commercial awareness is to be encouraged but must accord with the terms laid down by the sponsoring body. Postgraduate students who wish to participate in such training or other paid work directly related to their research studies must seek the permission of their supervisors. The supervisors must give formal consent to indicate that the intended work will not interfere with the student's research programme and is within the terms laid down by the relevant sponsor.
6.1
Senate Guidelines for Appointment of Senior Teaching Assistants and Learning Demonstrators.
It is recognised that experience in teaching and assessment contributes significantly to the employability of postgraduate students, therefore the use of postgraduate student Learning Demonstrators/Senior Teaching Assistants is encouraged subject to the following guidelines:
6.1.1
Only enrolled postgraduate research students should be employed as Learning Demonstrators/Senior Teaching Assistants.
6.1.2
A postgraduate student must undertake the necessary training offered through Human Resources/Postgraduate Research Office and the Faculty/School/Department before being allowed to undertake demonstrating, teaching, tutorial or assessment duties. Training must be successfully completed and reported to Human Resources before payment for demonstration or teaching services may be authorised.
6.1.3
In appointing Learning Demonstrators/Senior Teaching Assistants, Faculties must ensure that they have the relevant knowledge, skills and experience to undertake the demonstrating and teaching allocated to them.
6.1.4
A postgraduate student may not undertake demonstrating, teaching or assessment work, inclusive of preparation time, for more than six hours in any one week averaged over a Semester* Semester and Term Dates - Swansea University.
*A semester lasts for 15 weeks which is where the figure of 90+90=180 hours per annum is derived from, as it excludes breaks in the calendar.
6.1.5
A Learning Demonstrator/Senior Teaching Assistant shall normally be used only for teaching undergraduates.
6.1.6
Learning Demonstrators/Senior Teaching Assistants may contribute freely to demonstrating, tutorials and other support teaching, but would not be expected to contribute to more than 25% of the lecturing on any module.
6.1.7
All Learning Demonstrators/Senior Teaching Assistants will be assigned a mentor drawn from the academic staff, who may be the module coordinator of the module(s) on which the assistant is teaching. The responsibilities of the mentor will be as follows:
- To brief the demonstrator/tutorial assistant on all teaching;
- To provide materials or monitor the quality of any materials provided by the Learning Demonstrator/Senior Teaching Assistant;
- To monitor the quality of teaching provision;
- To provide marking criteria where the Learning Demonstrator/Senior Teaching Assistant is used for assessment purposes and to employ quality assurance mechanisms to monitor their involvement in assessment, e.g. moderating of marks. N.B: Learning Demonstrators/Senior Teaching Assistants should not undertake marking unless in accordance with the Marks Scheme/Rubric up to the levels permitted by the Assessment, Marking and Feedback Policy;
- To review student feedback provided on the Learning Demonstrator/Senior Teaching Assistant as part of a professional development process.
6.1.8
Any exceptions to the above are subject to the approval of the Chair of the Postgraduate Research Board.
