Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes Tutor in Edinburgh

Salary: Grade 7 (£20.65 p/h, £37,694 per annum)

Contract Type: Casual fixed term engagement, Full Time, 35 hrs guaranteed per week

Location: Edinburgh (on campus and online options)

Start Dates:

• 11 week course (01/06/2026 – 14/08/2026) (includes 1 week of induction)
• 7 week course (06/07/2026 – 14/08/2026) (includes 1 week of induction)

Job Details:

Our BALEAP-accredited pre-sessional course (PSE) develops students' language and study competence to enable them to perform well on their chosen degree programmes. PSE comprises three modules, each between 4 and 6 weeks in length. The number of modules students are required to take is determined by the student's language level. In 2026, we are looking for teachers for these programmes:

• 11-week programme (on campus OR online)
• 7-week programme (on campus OR online)

We are seeking experienced and technology-savvy individuals who can deliver high-quality teaching online and/or on-campus and can facilitate an excellent student experience on the programme. We provide a competitive salary, comprehensive induction and professional development opportunities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach Academic English, Research and Study Skills to international undergraduate and postgraduate students from a range of subject disciplines;
• Act as a personal tutor for students;
• Prepare students for a variety of formative and summative assessments with particular emphasis on the research and writing text practices and processes required at undergraduate and postgraduate levels;
• Show flexibility and creativity in teaching to ensure that student needs are met, course aims, and outcomes are achieved;
• Demonstrate a keen interest in and awareness of the needs of international students from a range of cultural backgrounds;
• Maintain accurate records of work and attendance and attend weekly meetings/moderation sessions with course leaders to ensure quality standards are maintained;
• Mark, grade and provide feedback on student work promptly;
• Use, engage with and fully exploit the University's virtual learning environment (CANVAS) and other learning and teaching tools as required;
• Actively engage with continuous professional development opportunities (including observations).

While the amount of contact time and other teaching-related activities will vary tutors can expect to work for a minimum of 35 hours per week, of which up to 18 hours per week will be teaching and tutorials, with the remainder comprising marking and feedback, record-keeping, meetings and professional development.

This job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post as directed by the Course Leader.

Please note, we cannot offer accommodation assistance.

We can only consider applications from Tutors who have the legal right to work in the UK, hold a UK bank account and a national insurance number. It is not necessary to be physically in the UK during the course, though the teaching timetable and meetings will be within normal UK working hours.

Education, Experience and Qualifications:

Essential criteria:

• A first degree in any field, and one of the following combinations:

• Cambridge DELTA / Trinity DipTESOL
• Cambridge CELTA / Trinity CertTESOL and a Postgraduate Master's degree in any field
• Cambridge CELTA / Trinity CertTESOL and significant Pre-sessional experience

Desirable:

• TEAP qualification and/or membership of relevant professional body (e.g. BALEAP)
• Experience of pre-sessional teaching

How to Apply:

Please apply via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system (1) a Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) a CV. Applications will remain open until midnight (UK time) on Friday, 27th February 2026. Interviews are anticipated to be held from mid-March.

For informal queries, please contact Judith Gorham.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.