Career as a Higher education lecturer

[Amrita]

• Description: Higher education (HE) lecturers research and teach academic and vocational subjects at universities and higher education colleges.
• Average Salary: £33,000 to £55,000 per year.
• Typical Hours: 36 to 38 hours per week.
• Work Schedule: Evenings and flexible arrangements are possible.

Explore Different Pathways

• University
  • First class or upper second class degree relevant to the subject.
  • Completed postgraduate master’s or PhD qualification, or in progress.
  • Teaching qualification usually obtained shortly after starting.
  • Possible teaching experience as a postgraduate student or graduate teaching assistant.
  • Several years of relevant work experience for vocational subjects.
• Apprenticeship
  • Academic Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship, equivalent to postgraduate study.
  • Specialize in teaching or research.
  • Minimum requirement: postgraduate qualification in subject area or equivalent work experience.
  • Duration: 18 to 24 months.

Entry Requirements

• University
  • 2 to 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree.
  • Relevant subject degree for postgraduate study.
• Apprenticeship
  • Employer-set entry requirements.

More Information

• Equivalent entry requirements.
• Finance for postgraduate courses.
• Student finance for fees and living costs.
• University courses and entry requirements.
• Guide to apprenticeships.

What It Takes

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of teaching and course design.
• English language proficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical thinking.
• Sensitivity and understanding.
• Initiative and teamwork.
• Computer literacy.

Restrictions and Requirements

• Pass enhanced background checks.

Day-to-Day Tasks

• Designing and developing courses.
• Teaching through various methods.
• Setting assignments, exams, and assessing progress.
• Managing research programs and budgets.
• Acting as a personal tutor.

Working Environment

• Could work at a university or college.

Career Path and Progression

• After 5 to 7 years, potential progression to senior lecturer, then to roles such as program lead, reader, or professor.
• Opportunity to apply for Advance HE Fellowship, with different grades based on experience.
• Promotion depends on performance, with strong competition for jobs. May need to relocate for teaching or research posts.

Higher education lecturer | Explore careers | National Careers Service

[philo]

There are broadly two types of staff who work with students in Higher Education.

Lecturers / (Assistant/Associate) Professors have contracts which require them to do research. They may do some teaching, but many will not teach undergraduates, only taught postgraduates or even working just with PhD students.

Teaching Fellows / Teaching Assistants don’t do research, but may (depending upon their qualifications and experience) teach postgraduates as well as undergraduates.

The route into HE teaching is complicated, posts which involve research as well as teaching can be very competitive to get, and always competitive in the case of full-time roles. Someone looking to be appointed for a research and teaching role will need a PhD and a record of publications and successful research funding bids. This can take may years to achieve, involving many fixed-term contracts.