Policy and Procedure

International Assignments

The University is operating in an increasingly international environment, offering significant opportunities for both the University and its staff.

These pages are designed to provide University managers and staff with information and resources to assist in ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clear and that personal and commercial risks are minimised.

Current International Projects

We currently have University staff located in a variety of locations, in particular

  • Singapore – where a number of academic and support staff have been appointed to deliver Newcastle University degree programmes in naval architecture through Newcastle University Marine International, a branch campus based at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

For further information, including current vacancies, visit the SAgE Faculty's International Programmes website.

  • Malaysia – where we have two senior members of staff seconded to establish our NUMed campus.As the campus develops and grows, more staff will be required, through a mix of international secondments from Newcastle and a number of Malaysian-based appointments.

For further information on NUMed Malaysia visit the NUMed website.

For staff currently based in the UK, overseas working normally falls into one of 3 categories:

Business Visits

  • A single or series of visits outside the UK
  • Each visit is less than a total of 30 days.

For business visits, there are no separate terms and conditions that apply. The normal rules regarding business expenses are applicable.

Short-Term International Assignments

  • The employee is required to work overseas, in a single country for a period of more than 30 but generally less than 183 calendar days without returning home.
  • The assignment is normally unaccompanied

The University's Short-Term Assignment Policy (PDF, 48KB) sets out guidelines that may apply in certain cases.

Long-Term International Assignments

  • The employee is required by the University to work overseas for a defined period of time that requires the assignee, and any family, to relocate to the new location
  • These assignments are normally for a period of more than 183 days, but less than 60 months.

The terms and conditions applicable to a long-term assignment will be determined individually, as they will be dependant upon the location, the length of the assignment and the indivdiual's circumstances.

The University's Long Term Assignments Policy (PDF, 84KB) sets out a framework within which these individual arrangements can be agreed.

Assignment Checklist

Here you will find a list of issues to be covered in preparing for and completing a successful international assignment.

Further Information and Advice

International assignments can be complex and may require a great deal of preparation if they are to be successful. Depending on the nature of the assignment, there can be implications for employee safety and security, employment law, taxation, insurance, employment conditions, and so on.

Managers and staff involved may require professional legal and financial advice.

In the first instance, managers organising overseas assignments should contact their local Human Resources Officer.