It’s no secret that moving out for university takes a heavy financial toll.
In 2026, the average annual cost of studying in the US is US$64,386 for undergraduate students and US$70,356 for graduate students. In the UK, international students can expect to pay anywhere from £22,000 to £65,000 (US$29,247 to US$86,412) or more each year, depending on the course and university.
And in Canada, international undergraduate tuition averages CA$41,746 (US$29,609) per year, while graduate tuition averages CA$24,028 (US$17,042). On top of tuition, students should also budget at least CA$23,000 (US16,313) annually for living expenses.
The good news? Many universities offer graduate or university assistantships that can help reduce these costs.
TL;DR? Here’s the summary:
- University assistantships help make studying abroad more affordable.
- Many include a stipend, tuition support, and, in some cases, health insurance or housing.
- You’ll gain hands-on experience in teaching, research, or university administration.
- The work is flexible, aligns with your studies, and helps build your professional network.
- The article highlights nine universities in the US, UK, and Canada that offer assistantships.
Assistantships are an arrangement in which financial support is given to a graduate student who teaches or completes research at the university. Source: Mikhail Nilov via Pexels
What is a graduate or university assistantship?
A graduate or university assistantship is a way for you to earn money while getting your degree or PhD, and even help build your professional portfolio or resume.
Assistantships are usually reserved for PhD students, sometimes master’s and even undergraduates. Being in oneinvolves working closely with a professor or department in various capacities, such as conducting research, grading assignments or helping out with administrative tasks.
In return, you get a stipend or salary and may even have your tuition partially or fully covered. Some university assistantships even offer room and board – if you’re lucky, even food and other living expenses are covered.
Given the astronomical student loan debt figure, especially for international students, it’s reassuring to know that there are ways to lighten the financial burden of higher education.
Many students take on assistantships to help with the financial burden that comes with studying abroad. Source: Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels
What are the benefits of graduate or university assistantships?
One of the biggest perks of a university assistantship is that it can make studying abroad much more affordable by lowering your study costs and debt. Other benefits of university assistantships include:
- Building relationships with professors who can become mentors, collaborators, or future references.
- Gaining insight into academia through firsthand experience in teaching, research, or departmental work.
- Earn a steady income while pursuing your degree.
- Working in a flexible, intellectually stimulating environment that better accommodates your academic schedule than many part-time jobs.
- Taking on work that’s relevant to your field of study, thus allowing you to apply what you learn in the classroom.
- Strengthening your academic and professional profile with hands-on experience that stands out on your resume or CV.
- Developing transferable skills such as communication, research, teaching, critical thinking, and time management that employers and graduate schools value.
It’s a win-win-win situation.At the end of the day, by opting for a university assistantship, you’re putting your master’s or PhD degree first while still earning a stipend or having your tuition covered.
However, it is important to know that graduate or university assistantships are highly prized and are often difficult to secure, as you have to compete against other graduate students.
The most common types of graduate or university assistantships available include regular teaching assistantships (TAs), research assistantships (RAs), graduate assistantships (GAs), and graduate research assistantships (GRAs).
Interested? Here are some universities that offer these opportunities.
9 best university assistantships in the US, UK, and Canada
US
Cornell University
Cornell University offers arange of assistantships catering to the diverse needs of international students pursuing full-time PhD and research master’s programmes.
They offer four types of university assistantships.
TAs are crucial in supporting course instruction, leading discussions, and overseeing laboratory sections. They contribute no more than 15 hours per week for the base stipend.
The GRAs focus on degree-related research, supporting a student’s thesis or dissertation, while RAs involve academic appointments for non-thesis-related research, typically 15 to 20 hours per week.
GAs are general academic roles, such as assisting faculty in coordinating academic conferences, requiring a commitment of 15 to 20 hours per week.
Assistantship packages here include a stipend, full tuition credit, and individual student health insurance, with potential additional supplements in certain fields or summer appointments.
Penn State University
At Penn State University, graduate students can apply for competitive assistantships in departments such as theSchool of Education,College of Engineering,College of Agricultural Sciences, and more.
While offerings vary between departments, they share similar qualities. These assistantships are usually awarded to full-time students who show high academic potential.
Assistantship packages may include partial tuition support, a stipend for living expenses, health insurance, and other similar perks. Additional funding may be available on a case-by-case basis for students who wish to continue their research and teaching apprenticeship in the summer months.
Here, you can apply to become a Graduate Resident Advisor. Your duties will include counselling undergraduates or graduate students on personal, social, and academic matters as well as planning activities for residents, in return for a furnished room and meals.
Kent State University
Kent State University students have the opportunity to engage in three main types of graduate assistantships: administrative, teaching, or research.
Typically awarded to doctoral students, various programmes across the university offer these assistantships. While some programmes fund 100% of their graduate students, others may offer different amounts.
These awards include many benefits, including a full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend for 10 to 20 weekly work hours.
To be eligible for these university-funded assistantships, students must apply for an appointment and meet academic criteria. Full-time enrollment, equivalent to at least eight credit hours per semester in a specific degree programme, is a prerequisite.
Many students take on assistantships to help with the financial burden that comes with studying abroad.
UK
University of Kent
International students at the University of Kent can benefit from theGraduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) programme.
As a GTA, you take on the dual role of a university employee and a research student — a commitment of 240 hours in 12 months with 40 hours of paid annual leave.
This is approximately seven hours per week, where you have to perform duties such as teaching, demonstrating, preparing, marking, and work-related training.
In return, the university provides a tax-free scholarship, a monthly salary, and additional stipends, along with paid teacher training through the Associate Fellowship Scheme (AFS).
The University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool’sGraduate Teaching Assistantship Scheme is ideal for those with a strong commitment to research and a commendable first degree.
In exchange for contributing teaching services, the school covers your fees and provides a stipend to support living costs.
Perhaps what’s more valuable is the support you’ll get from supervisors and a designated teaching mentor.
Vacancies for GTAs are regularly posted under the “Studentships” section on the university’sjob vacancies pages.
University of Manchester
Multiple Schools and Faculties at the University of Manchester offerassistantship opportunities as a form of part-time employment. Take up GTAs or project-specific studentships, which are advertised throughout the year.
Even if you don’t land the position, don’t worry. Many Schools also offer tutoring and demonstrating opportunities, usually paid on an hourly basis.Should you need further advice, theInternational Advice Team in the Student Services Centre can provide advice onworking while studying.
Every little bit of extra money helps towards graduating debt-free. Source: RDNE Stock project via Pexels
Canada
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo offers a GTA and a GRA. All positions are considered official employment and are subject to statutory deductions (Human Resources website) for income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums.
As a GTA, you’ll help a faculty member with instructional responsibilities, working 10 hours a week for a total of 16 weeks a term. Effective May 1, 2026, the monthly rates are CA$2,061.20 (US$1,462.53).
As a GRA, you’ll perform a designated list of research duties under the supervision of one or more faculty members. Working hours are similar to the TA position.
At the master’s level, this will earn you CA$1,965.60 (US$1,394.70) monthly. Doctoral candidates get CA$2,338.40 (US$1,659.22).
University of Ottawa
While priority is given to scholarship holders, some departments may allocate assistantships to other students based on the availability of funds.
What sets the university apart from others is that it provides formal training to teaching assistants, other graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows intending to engage in university teaching.
The formal training takes place in the form of a course and a practicum:
- Theory and Practice of Undergraduate Teaching: You’ll get to understand theory and develop skills — credits, however, are not transferable to your programme.
- Practicum in University Teaching: These include workshops in university teaching practice, mentored practice teaching, and teaching dossier preparation.
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor offers GA and TA positions to full-time master’s and doctoral students in eligible programmes.
For the GA position, you’ll work up to 140 hours per term. Master’s students receive CA$6,062 (US$4,302.53), while doctoral students receive CA$6,756.40 (US$4,795.39) per term for up to seven terms. Additional terms may be provided depending on availability.
The TA positions, however, are only available for undergraduate students and are paid on an hourly basis.
Every hour you spend in a university assistantship counts towards more than just your paycheck. You’ll develop practical skills, gain experience that’s relevant to your career, and have the chance to learn from professors and researchers. Source: Kindel Media via Pexels
Which is better for graduate students: Part-time jobs vs university assistantships?
Working a part-time job during university can be a tricky decision, and it’s no one’s fault if you need one to earn some extra cash.
But, not all part-time jobs are ideal for busy students. Retail, fast food, or customer service – most of those options have demanding, unpredictable hours, low wages between US$11 to US$15, and hot, stressful, environments filled with complaining customers.
Nobody wants to do this for eight hours and spend the rest of their waking hours completing assignments, research and fieldwork. It’s draining, and may not even provide ample financial support.
Perhaps an undergraduate could get away with a part-time job. The same can’t be said for a master’s or PhD student as they have to juggle more responsibilities.
So, if you have the means to do so, consider taking up university assistantships.
Frequently asked questions about university assistantships
How do graduate or university assistantships work?
A university assistantship combines paid work with postgraduate study. Students typically work with a professor or department in teaching, research, or administrative roles for a set number of hours each week. In return, universities provide financial support through a stipend, tuition waiver, or both, allowing students to gain relevant experience while reducing the cost of earning their degree.
What is the difference between a scholarship and a university assistantship?
A scholarship is financial aid awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or other achievements, and doesn’t require you to work. A university assistantship, on the other hand, provides funding in exchange for teaching, research, or administrative work. Besides financial support, assistantships also offer hands-on experience and opportunities to build relationships with professors.
Are university assistantships only for PhD students?
While university assistantships are often associated with PhD programmes, they’re also available to many master’s students — and occasionally undergraduates. The type of work, funding, and eligibility requirements vary between universities, so it’s always a good idea to explore the opportunities offered by your department before applying.
Do you get paid for an assistantship?
Yes, most university assistantships are paid positions that offer a stipend or salary. Depending on the university, they may also include tuition waivers, health insurance, housing, or meal allowances.
Can international students apply for a graduate or university assistantship?
Yes. Many universities offer graduate or university assistantships to international students, provided they meet the programme’s academic and eligibility requirements.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on July 29, 2026.
