• Profile

Exam Support Worker

Faculty:
Professional Services
Pay Per Hour:
£14.97 per hour + holiday pay
Closing Date:
16 Jan 2026
Application Closing Date:
16 Jan 2026

About The Role

Job title: Casual 1:1 Exam Support Worker 

Job Category: Other type, University Vacancies

Salary/Hourly rate: £14.97 per hour + holiday pay entitlement

 Start Date:  Attending exams between 19th January to 6th February 2026

Person specification:

Criteria

Essential/ Desirable

Studying in final year UG or Postgraduate level at the University of Sheffield. 


Essential

Good Subject knowledge within your field of study

Essential

Fluency in English, proficient in grammar and clear spoken pronunciation.

Essential

Ability to transcribe dictated information with speed and precision. 

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and to act in a professional discrete manner with students.

Essential

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, patience and enthusiasm.

Essential

Disability awareness, especially an understanding of the needs of students with various disabilities. For example; hearing or visual impairments, Autism Spectrum conditions or students with reduced mobility, (further training on this will be provided during induction).

Desirable

Previous experience of working with people with disabilities or Specific Learning Differences (SpLD).

Desirable


Main duties and responsibilities:

Below are some examples of what is required of an Exam support worker. 

Working in various roles as Reader, Scribe or Prompt. This involves working 1:1 with a student during their exam. 

Reader: An Exam Reader, reads the exam question aloud to the student. The Reader will also read the written answer back to the student so they can listen and correct any details before submitting their answer.

Scribe: An Exam Scribe (or sometimes called an Amanuensis), writes the exam answer that the student dictates to them. This role requires clear handwriting, strong spelling and grammar skills, and familiarity with the subject matter to handle any specific terms. Often, the Scribe also acts as a Reader, who reads the exam questions to the student.

Prompt: The role of an exam prompt is to help with time-keeping and helping the student remain on task in an exam. An Exam Prompt does not need to have subject knowledge, but will need to understand the structure of the exam and be able to work closely with the student and notice non-verbal cues.

How to Apply:

  1. Please complete the Exam Work Expression of Interest 2025/26
  2. By completing the expression of interest form your university email address will be added to our mailing list. Please note, this is not a guarantee of work. Our support requirements depend on referrals and the needs of the students we support. 

If a suitable vacancy is available we will contact our mailing list and assign work from the respondents. This work is offered on a casual basis and may be withdrawn if no longer required by the student being supported.

All support workers need to complete induction training and a Right to Work check before starting work. 

 The Support Worker Service sits within the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service at the University of Sheffield

Information

***IMPORTANT***


If you wish to discuss any specific needs you may have to apply for or undertake casual work at the University of Sheffield, please contact your hiring manager in the first instance.

The University recommends that all full-time students do not work more than 16 hours per week during term time so that you can devote sufficient time to your studies.

International Students – Please check your visa entitlement to work in the UK during your studies. The majority of International Students are allowed to work in term time as long as the total work does not exceed 20 hours per week.


Further information can be found on our webpages: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/myjobshop