Review of Substitute Teaching Rates - Briefing note for institutions

The University maintains a schedule of payments for individuals who undertake either substitute teaching of lectures and seminars, or for acting as a demonstrator during practical laboratory sessions. The rates will be adjusted in accordance with the previous year’s national pay award.

The General Board has approved changes to the substitute teaching rates, following a review of payments made to those undertaking lectures or seminars and providing support to students during lectures, practicals or time in the laboratory or studio. The review only applies to the current Substitute Teaching Rates (STR) and rates for Demonstrators. Separate department specific rates such as those contained in sections C and D of the current substitute teaching schedule, are not in scope of the review.

Please note all rates are exclusive of holiday pay. 

Please pay the new rates for lectures and seminars with effect from 1 October 2021. These are aligned to the first point of Grade 7 (point 39), and incorporate preparation time. 

The rates paid must be aligned to the duties being undertaken i.e. delivering lectures or seminars as set out below, rather than the knowledge, skills or experience of the individual. 

The revised rates are as follows: 

To avoid inconsistency in practice, should an institution need to use different rates due to specific local requirements, they must record the locally approved rates as well as the method and justification for deviating from those published above.  

• Role profiles have been written outlining the duties of the Demonstrator and Senior Demonstrator roles, which have been graded at Grade 5 and 6 respectively.  
• The rates of pay for the role of Demonstrator have been rationalised from the current lower, intermediate and maximum rates to reflect the new role profile titles of Demonstrator and Senior Demonstrator.
• The new rates are based on the specific activity required when undertaking the role.   

From 1 October 2021, please use the revised rates as follows: 

• The hourly rates listed are based on the first point of the relevant grade.  
• Where this does not meet the current rate paid to an individual, departments may use the full range of the grade (points 34 to 44 for grade 5, and points 37 to 48 for grade 6). 
• Individuals who have previously been paid the maximum rate may be ‘red circled’ for the rest of the 2021/22 academic year to support existing course planning and delivery. 

With effect from 1 October 2021, when an individual is required to attend a meeting or training during their own time, this should be paid at the basic hourly rate for their role (i.e. £16.01 for a substitute teacher/ £14.01 or £15.03 for a demonstrator) plus holiday pay for the time attended.