Guidelines on interview expenses
We appreciate that attending an interview may cost you money, and we’re happy to offer reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses.
To reduce our carbon footprint, we encourage the use of public transport wherever possible. Video conferencing may also be used to minimise the need for travel.
Candidates who live outside of the UK
Academic posts or post paid above Grade 8
We will reimburse all travel expenses, subject to the guidelines detailed on this page.
Vacancies up to and including Grade 7
If you are a shortlisted candidate who lives outside of the UK, you will normally be interviewed via telephone or video.
If a recruiting department wishes to call a candidate living outside of the UK to attend an interview at the University, it must be authorised by the Dean or Director of Professional Services and approved by Human Resources before the interview invitation is issued. In such cases, the recruiting department will reimburse travel expenses incurred outside the UK.
How to make a claim
You can claim your expenses through the Department of Human Resources by completing an interview expenses claim form.
Please submit your claim within one month of the interview date and include all receipts. Bank or credit card statements are not acceptable to us or the Inland Revenue. Claims will not be considered for anyone travelling within a 30 mile radius of the University.
Appropriate claims
| Type of expense | What you can claim |
|---|---|
| Rail/Coach/Bus | Cost of standard class fares only |
| Car travel | You may claim 30p per mile |
| Air travel | We will reimburse economic flights (please use budget airlines where possible and reasonable). Same-day return flights should be used to minimise the need for overnight stays. Please seek prior authorisation for any flights over £400. If authorisation is not obtained the claim will be at risk. |
| Overnight Accommodation | If overnight accommodation is reasonable, necessary and has been pre-approved, the Human Resources Administrator will book one of the approved options either on campus or in the city. Options are as follows: |
| Accommodation options | Campus: If possible we will arrange accommodation on campus, which has the advantage of allowing you to familiarise yourself with our campus and also to be close to the interview. The campus is located 2km from the city centre and easily accessible via a regular bus service. City of Bath: We can also arrange accommodation at a hotel located centrally in the city. Whilst these are the available options, if you would prefer an alternative, you may select and book your own accommodation, providing an overnight stay has been authorised in advance by the Recruitment team. Upon receipt of your claim we will reimburse the equivalent of our standard option up to a maximum of £75. |
| Food & Drink | You may claim up to £15 for an evening meal if you are staying overnight as agreed (alcoholic drinks are not applicable). |
| Transport from Bristol Airport | The approved method is either to take the coach from Bristol Airport to Bristol Temple Meads and then a train to Bath Spa station (cost approx. £15), or to take the coach from the airport to central Bath (cost £14). The journey time is approximately one hour for both options and there is then a bus service from the train station/central Bath to the University. If you would prefer to take a taxi from the airport, it costs approximately £45 each way. Upon receipt of your claim, we will reimburse the equivalent of the standard approved travel method. |
Inappropriate claims
| Expenses not covered | |
|---|---|
| Taxi Fares | We will only pay for taxi fares where bus, rail or coach travel is not practical and/or cheaper. (Subject to the Bristol Airport Guidelines previously detailed) |
| Overnight Stays | We will not pay for any unnecessary overnight stays. |
| Friends & Family | We will not reimburse any expenses incurred through accompanying friends or family (for example childcare or accommodation). (Subject to the accommodation options previously detailed.) |
| Hire cars | We will not pay for hire cars. |
If you are unsure about any of these guidelines, please contact Human Resources before you incur any expenses.