EAP Pre-Sessional Tutor (1FTE, FTC)

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is seeking suitably qualified and experienced EAP (English for Academic Purposes) tutors to join our 2026 Pre-Sessional teaching pool. These courses support international postgraduate Art and Design students in developing academic communication, critical thinking, and independent research skills prior to their degree programmes.

Our Pre-Sessional courses are innovative, dialogic, and non-traditional, moving beyond grammar-led teaching to focus on critically reflective enquiry within Art and Design contexts. Tutors work in a small, collegiate team, contributing to a flexible, collaborative learning environment aligned with postgraduate creative education.

Please note: Applicants are applying to join a pool of tutors. Interviews will take place in early February 2026, with course-specific appointments confirmed closer to the start dates.

Contract Dates Available

(Contracts begin one week before course start dates)

Spring 10-week Pre-sessional:

• Induction: Monday 23 February - Friday 27 Feb 2026
• Teaching: Monday 2 March - Friday 27 March and Monday 13 April - Friday 22 May 2026

Spring 6-week Pre-sessional:

• Induction: Monday 30 March - Friday 10 April 2026
• Teaching: Monday 13 April - Friday 22 May 2026

 Summer 10-week Pre-sessional:

• Induction: Tuesday 26 May - Friday 29 May 2026
• Teaching: Monday 1 June - Friday 14 August 2026

 Early Summer 6-week Pre-sessional:

• Induction: Monday 29 June - Friday 3 July 2026
• Teaching: Monday 6 July - Friday 14 August 2026

 Late Summer 6-week Pre-sessional:

• Induction: Monday 20 July - Friday 24 July 2026
• Teaching: Monday 27 July - Friday 4 Sept 2026

*Includes two non-teaching weeks: Monday 30 March – Friday 10 April 2026.

Course Structure

Courses run Monday to Friday, full-time (8:30am–4:30pm BST), with teaching from 9:00am–12:30pm. The programme includes weekly webinars, group projects, and individual tutorials. Teaching is delivered fully online, and tutors may work remotely from induction through course completion.

About the Role

Tutors will deliver high-quality EAP teaching tailored to Art and Design postgraduate study, support students’ language development through authentic academic tasks, provide formative feedback, and participate in weekly team meetings and CPD. All teaching materials are provided and adapted for online use.

Broadband: 

• Recommended Speed (Optimal Performance): 50+ Mbps Download / 10+ Mbps Upload. Please upload a screenshot of your broadband speed reading from: https://fast.com/en/gb/# to the Supporting Documents section.
• Connection Type: We strongly recommend a wired Ethernet connection to the router/modem over Wi-Fi for tutoring sessions

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• MA in EAP or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• DELTA, PGCE, or equivalent teaching qualification
• EAP experience in Higher Education
• Confidence using online teaching platforms and educational software

Experience teaching Pre-Sessional courses, postgraduate students, or Art and Design contexts is desirable.

Join us in supporting RCA students to thrive academically and creatively in a dynamic, research-led environment.

Please see Information Pack for further details.  With your application form, please upload your current cv/covering letter/Internet speed evidence. 

Closing Date: 11.59pm on 11 January 2026

Further details: Information Pack  

RCA Benefits available here: https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/work-at-the-rca/staff-benefits/

We recognise the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings and how this  strengthens our research and enhances our teaching. In order for RCA to remain a world-leading institution we are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout all of our processes, from application through to appointment.

Please tell us if you need any assistance in applying or if you need the information in a different format.

In your message to resourcing@rca.ac.uk include:

• the web address (URL) of the content
• your email address and name

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