Higher education lecturer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You'll usually need a first class or upper second class degree, relevant to the subject you want to teach.

You'll also need to have completed a postgraduate master's or PhD qualification, or be working towards one. It's common to have had academic work published.

You'll be expected to do a teaching qualification soon after you start. This is normally offered by your university and is done while working.

You may be able to get experience by taking on teaching duties while you're a postgraduate student. Some universities also offer posts as a graduate teaching assistant.

You'll need several years' relevant work experience if you want to teach vocational subjects, for example art or engineering.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do an Academic Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to postgraduate study.

You can specialise in teaching or research.

To apply, you'll normally need a minimum of a postgraduate qualification in your subject area, or several years' equivalent work experience, plus the agreement of your employer.

It can take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

Entry requirements:

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of English language
• excellent verbal communication skills
• analytical thinking skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of psychology
• persistence and determination
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• active listening skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Higher education (HE) lecturers research and teach academic and vocational subjects at universities and higher education colleges.

In this job, you will:

• design and develop courses to suit students' needs
• teach students through lectures, seminars, online classes and fieldwork
• set assignments and exams, and assess progress
• manage research programmes and budgets
• act as personal tutor to students

Location : You could work at a university or at a college.

Salary:

Starter : £33,000
Experienced : £55,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

36 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings flexibly

Career Path:

After 5 to 7 years you could move up to senior lecturer. You could then become a programme lead, reader or professor.

You could apply for Advance HE Fellowship , which recognises your skills and expertise. There are different grades depending on your experience.

Competition for jobs is strong and promotion depends on how well you perform. You may need to move to another university to take up a teaching or research post.