Working During Study Policy for Postgraduate Research Students

Introduction

Purpose

1. This document details the regulations around undertaking paid and/or unpaid work whilst undertaking a postgraduate research programme at Northeastern University London (the University).

Scope

2. This Policy applies to all postgraduate research students registered at the University.
3. For the purposes of this Policy, ‘Student’ refers to a postgraduate research student at the University.
4. For the purposes of this Policy, ‘Work’ refers to work performed for others in exchange for pay or profit; unpaid trainee work (work performed for others without pay to acquire workplace experience or skills); or volunteer work (non-compulsory work performed for others without pay).

Responsibilities

5. Students are responsible for ensuring they are familiar with and adhere to this Policy.

Resources

6. Enquiries about this Policy and associated process should be directed to the Associate Director of Postgraduate Research.

General Principles

Full-Time Work

7. Full-time work is not permitted for full-time or part-time students. Undertaking full-time work whilst registered on the PhD programme at Northeastern University London could result in initiation of the Disciplinary Procedure for Students.
8. If a student wishes to undertake a period of full-time work during their period of registration, for example if the student wishes to undertake an internship, the Change in Circumstances Policy and Guidance must be followed and the student must be recorded as taking a Break in Study.

Part-Time Work

9. The University does not encourage part-time working, especially during times when students are expected to be engaged fully in research training and thesis preparation.
10. Full-time students may undertake a small amount of paid work either in term-time or during the holiday periods.
11. Full-time students who choose to undertake work should not work more than 10 hours per week in any one week, and a maximum of 270 hours over the academic year.
12. Part-time students are expected to spend half their time working on their PhD. Supervisors should support their students in determining the appropriate balance of work and PhD research, recognising that this may change over the course of registration. 
13. Any work undertaken should not interfere with a student’s ability to complete the PhD on time.

Teaching and Demonstrating

14. Students may undertake teaching and demonstrating only after successful completion of their ten month probationary review.
15. The supervisor and relevant discipline lead(s) will discuss opportunities for teaching and demonstrating with the student.
16. While the University recognises that teaching and demonstrating experience is valuable for career development, it does not guarantee that opportunities will be available.
17. Teaching and Demonstrating work must conform to the University’s Academic Quality Framework, Quality Assurance and Health and Safety procedures.
18. If the teaching or demonstrating is deemed to be of an unsatisfactory standard, the Head of Discipline, in conjunction with the student’s supervisor, may redirect duties to another member of staff.
19. Students are responsible to the Head of Discipline for any teaching or demonstrating duties they perform for the University. These duties are specified in writing before the start of the academic year during which the teaching or demonstrating will take place. Teaching and/or demonstrating duties must adhere to the following requirements:
    1. The number of teaching hours must not exceed the equivalent of 4 hours per week or 108 hours per 27 weeks per academic year, excluding preparation, marking, examination and reporting time.
    2. The number of demonstrating hours (e.g. in labs) must not exceed 10 hours per week or 270 hours per 27 weeks per academic year.
    3. The total number of hours teaching or demonstrating must not exceed 10 hours per week or 270 hours per 27 weeks per academic year.

Students Studying on a Visa

20. The University’s regulations around work are not the same as the legal limits of student visas. For more information on the impact of undertaking work while on a Student Visa, please contact the Visa Team.

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