Lecturer (higher education)

Higher education lecturers are employed by universities and higher education establishments to undertake teaching, research and administrative duties within a specialist subject area.

There is no legal requirement for higher education lecturers to gain formal teaching qualifications.

What it involves

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

interviewing course applicants
lecture planning, preparation and research
contact/teaching time with students
checking and assessing students' work
encouraging personal development via tutorial/pastoral work
invigilating examinations
attending staff meetings
general administration
writing research proposals, papers and other publications
reading academic journals
supervising PhD students and research staff
managing research budgets
attending and speaking at conferences and seminars.

The requirement to publish research work and general commitment to the job commonly results in HE teachers working long hours, including evenings and weekends. An excellent teaching and research record is generally necessary for career progression as there is strong competition for senior positions.

What's required

The minimum academic requirements for entry into higher education (HE) teaching are a good degree (min 2:2) and a postgraduate qualification (often a PhD) that are relevant to the subject to be taught. Many HE teachers are mature candidates who have also gained several years pertinent professional or industrial work experience.

Where to find out more

Vacancies in most subject areas attract keen competition, particularly for permanent full-time jobs, so many people enter the profession via part-time teaching/temporary contracts. Relevant teaching experience is helpful and can often be gained whilst studying for a PhD. Commercial and industrial work experience is also beneficial, as is evidence of a good research history, including publications. Candidates should be highly motivated with excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills. Vacancies are advertised via the internet, in local, regional and national newspapers, the Times Higher Education Supplement and publications relevant to the subject area to be taught. A few specialist recruitment agencies such as Education Lecturing Services (Nottingham) also handle vacancies.