Assistant Professor in English and Approaches to Learning

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global university seeks an Assistant Professor for Academic English and Approaches to Learning in Dubai. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and teaching qualifications, along with experience in the British Education system. Responsibilities include curriculum development, student assessment, and fostering an inclusive learning environment. This full-time position offers the opportunity to shape the educational journey of students in a vibrant academic setting.

Qualifications

• Teaching experience within the British Education system.
• Experience of Academic English or Academic Skills at Higher Secondary or University Foundation level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging Academic English and APL curriculum.
• Utilise various instructional strategies and resources for diverse learning styles.
• Assess student progress and provide constructive feedback.

Skills

Effective student engagement skills

Collaborative approach to work

Education

Degree in Relevant discipline

Teaching qualification

Job description

Role: Assistant Professor for Academic English and Approaches to Learning– Global College

Grade: 7

School / Service: Global College

Location: Dubai UAE

Working Hours: Full Time

Reporting Line : Head of Global College Dubai

About Heriot-Watt

Heriot-Watt University is a global university with five campuses: across UK, Dubai and Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages.

With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world‑class teaching and practical, leading‑edge research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for business and industry. We connect with industry at every level and develop programmes to match their needs – so employers get work‑ready industry‑fit graduates.

Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus was first established in 2005. Home to over 5,000 students, it is one of the largest and most successful international universities in Dubai. Our campus is state‑of‑the‑art, ensuring that staff and students work and learn in the best environment for education.

About our Team

The Global College brings together academic pathways and pre‑sequential English provision across Dubai, Malaysia and Scotland, and enables Heriot Watt to strengthen its academic excellence and provide an invaluable experience for students transitioning from Schools to Higher Education. Within Dubai, the Global College has been established since 2008 and supports the university in widening access to students both locally and internationally. The Global College runs the most successful degree entry programme in the UAE in terms of quality and reputation, and this has resulted in it becoming an extremely popular entry route to Heriot‑Watt university with over 600 students enrolled in the 2025‑26 academic year.

We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable educator to teach on our Academic English and Approaches to Learning (APL) courses. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Academic English and Skills for success, with the ability to inspire and educate students as part of the Global College team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop and deliver engaging Academic English and APL curriculum for students, ensuring alignment with academic standards and educational objectives.
2. Utilise a variety of instructional strategies and resources to accommodate diverse learning styles and promote student engagement and understanding.
3. Assess student progress through assignments, exams, projects, and other forms of evaluation, providing constructive feedback and support for individual growth.
4. Attend and contribute to Course Boards and Assessment Boards as appropriate.
5. Contribute to the administration associated with the course delivery.
6. Participate in external engagement activities for the Global College.
7. Stay informed about current trends, developments, and best practices in Academic English and APL, participating in professional development activities and conferences as appropriate.
8. Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes respect, collaboration, and a passion for learning.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.

Education and Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Degree in Relevant discipline.
• Teaching qualification
• Experience of Academic English or Academic Skills at Higher Secondary or University Foundation level.
• Teaching experience within the British Education system.
• Effective student engagement skills.
• Collaborative approach to work.
• Ability to set and monitor quality standards.

Desirable Criteria

• Masters in relevant discipline.
• Expertise in one or more other courses within the Global College Dubai programmes
• Experience of course/programme level management.
• Experience of developing innovative learning via VLE
• Ability to develop academic leadership at course /programme level.

How to Apply

Please submit your application via the Heriot‑Watt on‑line recruitment system attaching a cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post and an updated CV.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to proceed to in‑person formal interviews at our Dubai campus, where you will be asked to deliver a brief presentation on a relevant topic. Following the formal interview, the preferred candidate will attend a second interview with senior staff at the Dubai campus before a final offer decision is made.

Interviews will be held near the end of February (we are looking at a start in August 2026).

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Learn more about our benefits here: Our Dubai Campus - Heriot‑Watt University (hw.ac.uk)

Heriot‑Watt University Dubai is (Commission for Academic Accreditation) CAA Licensed; therefore, successful candidates will need to either provide terminal degrees attested from a UAE institution accredited by the CAA or if the degree is not from a UAE Institution, the candidate will need to have MoE (Ministry of Education) Equivalency. More info on attestation can be found here on the MoE website. The candidate is responsible for getting their degree attestations done and these should be completed within six months of joining.

The appointment is conditional upon successful completion of all Labour and Immigration formalities, and the start date will need to be delayed if the employment visa is not in place.