Job Description
Job Title:  Pre-sessional English Language Tutors
Posting Start Date:  26/03/2026
Job Id:  2359
School/Department:  English Language Teaching Centre
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (On site)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  £39,906 - £42,254
Closing Date:  23/04/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

 

Overview

 

We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated English Language Tutors to join our team. This is an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the success of pre undergraduate and postgraduate students as they prepare for their academic journey at the University of Sheffield. Our Pre-Sessional English Summer Programmes are designed to equip students with the academic English Language and literacy skills necessary for their degree courses. All our Pre-sessional summer programmes are accredited by BALEAP and the British Council, highlighting our dedication to excellence. We are planning to offer on-campus (OC) and online (OL) programmes. The on-campus posts are based in Sheffield. For the online posts, tutors will need to be based in the UK. To access lessons & course content for any blended and online provision of the pre-sessional courses you will need:

 

  • a modern laptop or desktop computer in very good working order (Windows 11 or macOS Tahoe 26.1 preferred)
  • a headset (strongly recommended) or headphones and a microphone 
  • a webcam at least 1280 x 720 resolution (strongly recommended)
  • fast internet connection (30 Mbps minimum upload speed); wired internet connection using ethernet cable (strongly recommended) 
  • smartphone running either Android 11.0+ or iOS 16.0+ and greater (for security - MFA - multi factor authentication)

 

If you are unsure on machine specifications / internet speed please get in touch with tech@sheffield.ac.uk  

 

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Teaching Academic English on the Pre-sessional English programmes
  • Planning and preparing lessons, tutorials, and appropriate materials
  • Correcting and marking students’ written work promptly
  • Providing feedback to students
  • Assisting in assessing students and marking assignments
  • Attending assessment standardisation sessions
  • Completing all teaching and support related documentation, such as reports, promptly and accurately
  • Attending course meetings on a regular basis
  • Preparing lessons using in-house materials, ELTC resources and syllabuses provided
  • Preparing supplementary material for classes as required
  • Liaising with other teachers concerning shared groups of students
  • Consulting with the course leaders as needed
  • As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities whenever possible.
  • Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

 

 

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Undergraduate degree or equivalent

Essential

Application

TEFL-qualified status as recognised by the British Council. For example, Post-Graduate Diploma in English Language Teaching (e.g. Diploma in ELT OR Certificate in ELT (e.g. CELTA/Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Education) + relevant Masters (e.g.TESOL/Applied Linguistics)

Essential

Application

At least 36 months proven experience in teaching English for Academic Purposes at University level

Essential

Application/interview

Demonstrable excellent experience and skills relevant for the teaching role including a working knowledge of Gen AI in an HE context

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent communication skills in English and ability to work effectively and professionally within a diverse team

Essential

 Application/interview

Ability to use and adapt learning materials and approaches relevant to the cohort needs, including at undergraduate/postgraduate levels

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent technical skills in classroom and computer-based teaching, including whole class online teaching 

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to prioritise own workload and work accurately to strict deadlines

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to reflect on and develop professional practice through observation, participating in professional development, and collaborating with peers and observers

Essential

Application/interview

Higher degree in relevant subject

Desirable

Application

Recent relevant teaching experience on summer pre-sessional programmes in the UK

Desirable

Application/interview

 

Further Information

 

Grade

7

Salary

£38,784 to £42,254 (pro rata)

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

15th June to 28th August (11 weeks)

13th July to 28th August (7 weeks)

Line manager

Programme Manager

Direct reports

N/A

Our website

www.sheffield.ac.uk/eltc

For informal enquiries about this job contact eltc.teach@sheffield.ac.uk

 

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

 

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place from March onwards until all posts are filled.  Early application is encouraged as the advert will close once sufficient applications have been received.

 

indicate your availability, and preference for on campus or online posts, in your application statement.

 

The selection process will consist of an interview and a task.

If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Sara Narayan at eltc.teach@sheffield.ac.uk 

 

 

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

 

 

What we offer

  • A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • access to menopause support in the workplace
    • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
    • and more


More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

 

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

 

Criminal

 

Due to the nature of this role an enhanced DBS check may be required. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

 

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 23/04/2026 

 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.