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As a Higher Education (HE) lecturer you will teach academic or vocational subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 and over. Your responsibilities will include delivering lectures, seminars, tutorials and, depending on your discipline, practical demonstrations and field work. Lecturing as an academic can take place within universities and in some further education colleges.
You will need to have a high level of expertise in your subject area, in addition to teaching, research and administration experience. Within your role you might also be expected to pursue your own research to contribute to the wider research activities of your institution in line with the Research Excellence Framework.
Other responsibilities are likely to include:
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The design and preparation of course and teaching materials
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The development and implementation of new teaching methods, reflecting changes within your research and discipline area
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Assessment of work, including coursework and examinations
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Supervision of students’ research activities, including dissertation projects
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Offering pastoral support and liaising with central university/college support services
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Contributing to research funding bids and professional seminars in your area of expertise
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Engagement in a range of ongoing professional development opportunities
In this guide:
Professional qualifications
A first or a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject will be essential, and for most disciplines you will also need a doctoral level qualification. Examples include:
- PhD - representing the highest level of academic degree awarded by universities
- EngD - vocational, industry-focused research doctorate that holds equal academic status to a traditional PhD
- DPhil - a Doctor of Philosophy degree, which is the exact equivalent of a standard PhD
- DBA - (Doctor of Business Administration) is the highest level of postgraduate degree you can earn in business and management
Whilst you will not need an additional teaching qualification, you may be encouraged to take on teaching duties during your PhD which will offer excellent experience for future applications. In applied professional fields like architecture, law, and education, university faculties typically value professional credentials, licensure, and extensive industry experience over a traditional PhD.
Routes into academia and lecturing
Choosing the right university
- An institution with a substantial portfolio of courses related to your area of expertise. For vocational teaching, choose research universities with close links within your chosen profession or industry.
- For disciplines where both research and teaching are linked to the non-academic workplace, some universities may offer research-only roles, and you may be asked to pursue a doctoral qualification alongside.
Getting teaching experience
- Teaching part-time or evening classes; contribute to guest lectures; engage in professional development programmes for a professional body.
- Deliver seminars or tutorials. Support the assessment of coursework and exams.
- Work in labs or lectures and/or become involved in curriculum design.
Get research experience outside of your Master’s and/or PhD thesis.
- Published work as a result of your research
- Present papers to peers at conferences, in workshops and lectures to demonstrate the impact of your research.
Use your academic contacts
Your academic contacts can signpost you to other academic job opportunities or groups with an interest in your area.
Use your professional contacts
Use your network within higher education, professional experience and industry contacts, particularly when applying to an institution which is committed to expanding its teaching excellence, student employability and graduate prospects.
Training and Development routes
- Many institutions will deliver their own postgraduate certificate courses, which are often compulsory if you secure a permanent work contract.
- The Higher Education Academy (HEA) may accredit these courses, in addition to offering continuing professional development programmes. You can apply for professional recognition with the HEA at the appropriate fellowship level.
- Work towards a Masters in Higher Education, some institutions run enhanced teaching and academic leadership programmes for more experienced staff.
- Attend and participate in conferences, workshops and seminars; present research and papers at national and/or international conferences; contribute to the research profile for your department or institution through published work in high quality journals; undertake work exchanges abroad; and apply for research grants and funding.
- Further your career in academia and research may lead to further positions of responsibility, such as senior lecturer or principal lecturer. Beyond this you may also progress to the roles of reader, chair, professor or dean, once you have built up further expertise.
- Take a look at the prospects site job profiles for further development - Higher Education Lecturer
How to apply
The application process for academic roles may vary across organisations/institutions, but typically may involve producing an academic CV, a cover letter and/or a personal statement as part of an application form.
Apply for Further Study Personal statement for your application - Careers and Employability support
Personal statements for postgraduate applications
Personal statements for Masters degrees - FindAMasters
How to write your personal statement - UCAS
Once you have drafted your personal statement you can either call in to make an appointment to discuss your statement with an adviser, or use our MyCareer online booking system to book an appointment to suit you.
Getting a job once qualified
Typical employers within this area will include universities and further education colleges. However, depending on your discipline, you may also have the opportunity to apply to specialist postgraduate institutions, for example law or business schools.
Websites to support you with your job search
International positions are advertised on:
If you are considering working for a university overseas, details of Higher Education institutions in the Commonwealth countries are available from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
Also keep in mind that individual universities and colleges are likely to list vacancies on their webpages. Networking is also another way of finding out about opportunities that may become available - aim to engage in conferences, seminars and opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues at your own and other institutions.
This information has been sourced from prospects.ac.uk.
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