Lecturer - Higher Education

Also known as:

Higher Education Lecturer
Teacher - Higher Education
University Lecturer
HE Lecturer
College of Higher Education Lecturer

Introduction

Lecturers in higher education teach one or more related subjects on courses that lead to a degree or other higher education qualification. The work involves preparing and delivering formal lectures and holding seminars and individual tutorials. Lecturers also set work for students, mark and assess it and carry out research.

Back to Top

Work Activities

Higher education (HE) lecturers teach one or more related subjects on advanced courses leading to a degree, Diploma or Certificate in Higher Education (DipHE or CertHE), Higher National Diploma or Certificate (HND or HNC), and possibly postgraduate courses. The students may be full-time or part-time and most are aged 18 or over.

Teaching methods include formal lectures, seminars and one-to-one tutorials. Lecturers may use audio-visual materials and computers to stimulate interest and learning, and to produce course materials.

Lecturers aim to develop students' analytical skills and encourage independent research and study. The work also involves setting and marking essays and exams, and assessing coursework. Lecturers are also expected to do research in their own specialised field and keep up-to-date with new developments.

Back to Top

Personal Qualities and Skills

As a lecturer, you need to be well-prepared and organised. You should be confident and able to motivate students. You must be able to hold the attention of large numbers of students in a lecture theatre, as well as work with them on an individual basis. You should be a good communicator, able to get on with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.

Back to Top

Pay and Opportunities

Lecturers in higher education (HE), in universities, are paid on a national scale.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

From February 2007, lecturers in higher education earn in the range of £26,000 - £38,000 a year. Senior lecturers earn in the range of £34,000 - £45,000 a year. With additional discretionary awards, senior lecturers can earn around £47,000 a year. Readers and professors earn higher salaries.

Most HE lecturers work around 40 hours from Monday to Friday, but many work longer hours including evenings and weekends to maintain research commitments.

There may be opportunities for part-time and freelance work.

Competition for posts is intense.

Back to Top

Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Entrants with relevant experience and postgraduate academic qualifications have an advantage.

Those teaching vocational courses in higher education normally have a relevant professional background, working in a particular industry or sector.

Research work can be combined with some part-time lecturing of undergraduate students. This can lead to a full-time career as a lecturer.

Relevant training includes the part-time Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education for those already in appropriate paid or unpaid employment.

There is some opportunity for short-term contract work.

• 22% of HE lecturers work part-time.
• 3% have flexible hours.
• 14% of employees work on a temporary basis.

Back to Top