Job Description
Position Details
Birmingham International Academy
Discipline: Dubai Operations
University of Birmingham, Dubai campus
Salary: Competitive
Grade: 7
No. of positions: 1
Full time
Duration: 3-years fixed contract (renewable at the University’s discretion)
Location: Dubai, UAE
Closing date: 17th December 2025
University of Birmingham Dubai
Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we have now moved to our new state-of-the-art campus which opened in Sept 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.
Background
A unique opportunity has arisen to become part of the University of Birmingham and to join our mission to deliver a world class British university education in the global city and international hub of Dubai.
In March 2018 the University of Birmingham opened a new campus in Dubai and we are seeking to appoint a Teaching Fellow to teach our Foundation year for integrated undergraduate degrees in Economics and Business Management. The role will be based in Dubai.
Role Summary
Contributing to the teaching and administration associated with the Foundation year, we are looking for a qualified and experienced tutor to teach a range of modules in the business Pathway including Economics, Quantitative Methods, Business and the Market and Introduction to Business Management.
- The Teaching Fellow in the Foundation Programme will play a key role in enhancing student success, retention, and progression. The postholder will provide high-quality teaching, academic support, and targeted interventions to address learning gaps, particularly in Mathematics and other business-related subjects.
- The Teaching Fellow will contribute to the development of the modules they teach, enhance the curriculum, and improve the overall student experience and employability. They will be able to develop an inclusive curriculum that values students’ experiences and development, and ensure that teaching is responsive to diverse learning needs.
- The post holder will evaluate students’ levels identify those requiring additional support, and design targeted support plans to raise students’ knowledge and skills.
- The Teaching Fellow will also be able to teach a range of business modules within the Foundation Programme, employing innovative pedagogical approaches to foster engagement, understanding, and academic success, thereby contributing to high pass rates and strong student retention.
Main Duties
- Teach courses at the Foundation level within specified subject area and within own area of subject specialism, predominantly through allocated lectures and tutorials, so that the teaching objectives are met.
- Contribute to the design of modules with other colleagues.
- Plan and prepare own teaching, including guidance notes and handouts in accordance with the established objectives of taught modules.
- Develop an approach to planning and reviewing own teaching.
- Undertake full range of responsibilities in relation to setting exams, marking, examining, invigilating and moderating.
- Deliver appropriate pastoral care of students through personal tutorials.
- Undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes.
- Undertake all administrative duties associated with teaching, including tasks arising from regular staff meetings and other pathway role duties.
- Contribute to public engagement and open days activities.
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
Teaching and Learning
- Deliver engaging and inclusive teaching sessions in business Pathway related modules.
- Design and deliver teaching materials that address diverse learning needs and bridge knowledge gaps among students from varied educational backgrounds.
- Employ innovative and evidence-based pedagogical practices to promote active learning and student engagement.
- Assess student work in accordance with university policies, providing timely and constructive feedback to support academic development.
- Contribute to curriculum review and enhancement, ensuring alignment with programme learning outcomes and progression pathways.
- Undertake full range of responsibilities related to assessment, including setting exams, marking, examining, invigilating, and moderating.
- Contribute to the design and development of modules in collaboration with colleagues.
- Ability and willingness to support with teaching and other academic activities across all Foundation and Undergraduate programmes.
Student Support and Retention
- Identify students at risk of underperformance or withdrawal through continuous assessment and early intervention strategies.
- Develop and implement individual and group support plans to strengthen students’ understanding of core business and economic concepts.
- Provide one-to-one academic guidance and mentoring to help students build confidence and improve academic performance.
- Collaborate with personal tutors, student support teams, and academic skills units to ensure coordinated and proactive student support.
- Plan initiatives and run workshops aimed at enhancing students’ mathematical skills and academic confidence.
Quality Assurance and Enhancement
- Monitor student progress and contribute to data-driven evaluation of pass rates, retention, and progression.
- Engage in reflective teaching practice and contribute to continuous improvement processes within the Foundation Programme.
- Participate in staff meetings, moderation exercises, and quality review activities.
- Maintain accurate records of teaching, assessment, and student engagement.
Collaboration and Professional Development
- Work collaboratively with the Foundation Year team and wider academic departments to ensure a coherent and supportive learning experience.
- Participate in professional development activities and remain up to date with best practices in foundation-level education and student support.
- Contribute to outreach, induction, and transition activities to support new cohorts of students.
Person Specification
- The successful candidates will have higher degree in business and economics related subjects.
- This is a level 3 Foundation post and the candidate should have extensive experience in teaching Business and Economics subjects within higher education.
- Demonstrated experience in teaching and supporting students at the university foundation level.
- A proven record of curriculum design and development in Business and Economics-related areas.
- Ability to design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality module materials that support student learning.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to academic administration and quality assurance processes.
- Proven ability to teach large student cohorts while maintaining effective classroom management and engagement.
- Proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships with students, including those under 18 and vulnerable adults.
- Evidence of identifying and addressing learning gaps in numeracy and quantitative reasoning.
- Experience in developing targeted academic support strategies to enhance student attainment and retention.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
- A strong commitment to inclusive teaching practices and the support of diverse learners.
- Comprehensive knowledge of higher education teaching and learning practices, with the ability to use innovative and varied delivery techniques to engage and inspire students.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative, independence and effective self-management in professional practice.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience:
- Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- Experience working with international or widening participation students.
- Familiarity with diagnostic assessment tools for Mathematics and study skills.
- Evidence of successful interventions that have improved student outcomes.
For informal enquiries, please contact Abir Ahmed, email: a.m.e.ahmed@bham.ac.uk (Dubai Campus), and Ravjeet Kour, email: r.kour.1@bham.ac.uk (Edgbaston Campus)
In return, you will receive a competitive package and play a key role in our ambitious University’s expansion as we enhance our international reputation and global footprint.
Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
View our staff values and behaviours here
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website . 
