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Higher education lecturer
Hours
Variable
Starting salary
£33,000 + per year
If you have a high level of knowledge in a subject area, and want to pass it on through lectures and written materials, this job could be for you.
Higher education lecturers teach and carry out research in universities and some colleges. They teach academic and vocational subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level to students over the age of 18.
In this job you will need enthusiasm for your subject, so you can motivate and inspire your students. You will also need confidence so you can stand up in front of large groups of students and deliver lectures.
For most jobs you will need a degree (first or 2:1), a PhD (or be working towards it) and to have had work published.
WorkDesc
The work
As a higher education lecturer, your work would typically include:
- teaching (lectures, seminars, practical demonstrations and fieldwork)
- preparing for teaching sessions and developing teaching materials
- setting and marking assignments and exams
- assessing students’ work and progress
- acting as personal tutor to a number of students
- conducting research (often on behalf of sponsors) with the aim of publication
- supervising students’ research
- attending, and contributing to, professional conferences and seminars
- carrying out administrative tasks.
You could be employed in a joint teaching and research position. You would contribute to the research activities of your department and publish your work in journals and books.
In a college the focus of your work is likely to be on teaching rather than research.
HoursDesc
Hours
Your working hours will vary depending on your duties and responsibilities. You will usually work long hours, but will have flexibility in arranging the timing of some aspects of your work, such as research and student tutorials. There may also be the opportunity for part-time work.
You may be able to take a sabbatical of up to one academic year so that you can pursue your own research work. You will usually need to have been in post for a set number of years before this becomes an option.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Lecturers on a full-time contract can earn between £33,000 and £43,000 a year
- Senior lecturers can earn around £55,000.
See the University and College Union website for more details of pay and conditions.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
For most jobs you would need:
- a relevant degree (first class or 2.1)
- a PhD (or be working towards it)
- the ability to carry out original research and have work published.
You would also need experience of teaching, or be able to demonstrate that you have potential to teach. You may be able to gain experience by taking on teaching duties (possibly being paid an hourly rate) whilst you are a research student. Some universities advertise opportunities under job titles such as Graduate Teaching Assistant.
To teach vocational subjects, you would need a relevant degree or professional qualification and several years' relevant work experience.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
As a higher education lecturer you would usually have the opportunity to complete a wide range of in-house training, and may also be supported in doing external courses if they are relevant to your work.
Postgraduate qualifications, with titles such as Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (Higher Education), are available. These are sometimes compulsory for new staff on permanent contracts and can be done alongside your lecturing work.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a higher education lecturer you should have:
- expertise in your subject area
- the ability to motivate and inspire students
- the confidence to lecture to large groups of students
- the ability to express yourself clearly, both in speech and in writing
- organisational skills
- commitment to your own professional development.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
University and College Union (UCU) 
www.ucu.org.uk
LSIS Information and Advice
Tel: 0300 303 1877
http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/node/57
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You would usually be employed in universities and some colleges, but there are also jobs in postgraduate institutions such as law and business schools.
With experience you could have the opportunity for promotion to senior (or principal) lecturer with academic management responsibilities, and then to reader, with responsibility for high-level independent research. Promotion to these levels is very competitive, so your work would have to be of a very high standard.
If you have an outstanding research and publishing record, you could be promoted to professor, with responsibility for furthering research, for example by setting up new research teams and bringing in new research funding. At this level you may also be head of a department, or a group of departments, and would not do so much teaching.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
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.
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.
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