Job market information
Finding out about higher education
The higher education industry is part of the lifelong learning sector, represented by Lifelong Learning UK Sector Skills Council, which also includes: community learning and development; further education; libraries, archives and information services; and work‐based learning. The sector as a whole currently employs over 1.2 million people in a range of educational institutions, as well as public and private sector organisations.
The higher education sector represents all staff involved in the delivery, support and management of learning and research in universities, university colleges and colleges of higher education.
Key facts:
- There are 372,455 people working in higher education, of which:
- 306,625 staff are in England
- 7,540 staff are in Northern Ireland
- 38,980 are in Scotland
- 19,315 are in Wales
- 46% of the workforce are academic professionals
- 64% of non‐academic staff are female
- 59% academic staff are male
- 67% of the workforce is employed full‐time
- 70% of the workforce is employed on open‐ended or permanent contracts
- 57% of academic professional staff and 81% of other staff are employed on open‐ended or permanent contracts
Jobs in the industry include: professor, senior lecturer, lecturer, researcher, research associate and research assistant.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements and progression in the industry are varied.
To become a lecturer/senior lecturer, undergraduate and doctoral degrees relevant to the post are required. In commercial areas such as law, finance and medicine, work experience takes precedence over educational experience. Although some roles are more teaching focused, applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to publish in academic publications and the ability to secure grant funding and produce original research.
There is no legal requirement to gain a teaching qualification, but higher education institutions that are members of the Higher Education Academy often require it. New employees are increasingly required to gain a postgraduate qualification in Teaching for Higher Education, usually approved by the Higher Education Academy. These courses include Diplomas and Masters Degrees and are for people who are teaching.
To become a researcher, applicants are usually studying for, or have recently completed, a PhD. In the social sciences, other entry routes are possible.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses (at foundation, undergraduate and post‐graduate), apprenticeships, training schemes and vocational qualifications.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
372,455 |
|---|
| Gender: |
47% male |
53% female |
|---|
| Age: |
females are most likely to be under 30 years, whilst males are more likely to 55 years or over |
|---|
Employment trends and future prospects
It is estimated that the size of the lifelong learning workforce as a whole will increase from 2008 to 2015. Significant recruitment will be required during this period. It is likely that the higher education industry will increase in a similar manner.
As the lifelong learning sector relies on voluntary workers and a high proportion of publicly funded positions, the recession is unlikely to impact on the estimated demand for the workforce as severely as the private sector. However, it is expected that there will be an overall decrease on available funding, which will affect employment figures.
Skill requirements and shortages
The main skills shortages in the industry are:
- Technicians qualified to NVQ level 4 or above
- Management and leadership
- Skills related to the widening participation agenda, i.e. skills to cater for a wider student body with diverse learning styles and demands
Occupational trends
Future demand is expected for skilled teachers in: business management; IT; economics; electronics; law; and medicine.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 25,120 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
East of England – There are an estimated 23,545 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
London – There are an estimated 68,455 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
North East – There are an estimated 15,775 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
North West – There are an estimated 36,720 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
South East – There are an estimated 55,715 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
South West – There are an estimated 22,870 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 27,135 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 31,290 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 7,540 people in the higher education workforce. Scotland – There are an estimated 38,980 people in the higher education workforce.
Wales – There are an estimated 19315 people in the higher education workforce in the region.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salary levels:
- Professors can earn between £34,000 ‐ £86,000
- Senior Lecturer can earn between £35,000 ‐ £48,000
- Lecturer can earn between £25,000 ‐ £42,000
- Research Associate can earn between £27,000 ‐ £32,000
- Research Assistant can earn between £20,000 ‐ £27,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using LLUK AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
