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University Lecturer
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University (or higher education) lecturers teach students in universities and colleges on courses leading to qualifications such as BTEC and SQA higher national certificates/diplomas, degrees, postgraduate courses and professional qualifications.

The work can include preparing and delivering lectures to large groups of students, arranging seminars where specific topics are discussed with smaller groups of students, giving practical demonstrations, setting and marking essays, assignments, projects and examinations, leading field trips, and giving feedback on academic work and discussing progress with students on a one-to-one basis.

Some lecturers act as personal tutors to a number of students, meeting them individually to offer advice and support on a range of issues from academic progress to personal problems.

Nearly all university lecturers are expected to do original research on topics in their chosen field. They may give papers on their research at academic conferences and publish their findings in books and journals.

Entry level

To become a higher education lecturer, you would normally need a first class or upper second first degree and a postgraduate qualification related to the subject you wish to teach. This is usually a PhD, but you may be accepted if you are working towards a PhD or have a Master's degree such as a MA or MSc.

Lecturers teaching vocational courses such as accountancy or hotel and catering management often have professional rather than academic qualifications.

To study for a first degree, you would usually need at least two A levels/three H grades, and three GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) in other subjects, or equivalent qualifications. Entry to a postgraduate course is normally with a good first degree.

Lecturers intending to teach academic subjects such as English, sociology or history, normally need to have a good record of research, and have had some research published. Those who teach more vocational subjects, such as engineering, pharmacy or social work, often have several years' experience of relevant work. They may also be required to have a record of research and publication.

Making the grade

Employers usually provide training for new entrants to higher education lecturing, including theories of learning and teaching, teaching practice, lecturing and tutoring skills, student guidance and support, course design, assessment of student learning, curriculum evaluation, and use of audiovisual aids and information technology.

Guidance and assistance are provided through a formal mentoring scheme, and there is often the chance to watch experienced lecturers at work. In many universities, there is a formal probation scheme for the first three years where new lecturers have the guidance and assistance of a mentor. The Government White Paper on The Future of Higher Education (2003) stated that all new higher education teaching staff would be expected to obtain a qualification that meets national professional standards for teaching from 2006.

The Higher Education Academy accredits programmes of training in learning and teaching in higher education. If you have successfully completed one of these accredited programmes, you can apply for registered practitioner status in the Higher Education Academy. The Academy also has 24 Subject Centres, which promote high quality learning and teaching through the development and transfer of good practice in subject disciplines.

Lecturers have a clearly defined promotion path through the levels to the top of the main lecturing grade. There are then opportunities to progress to a more senior level as reader, professor or head of department. Decisions about promotion are taken on the basis of a lecturer's teaching and research roles and competencies. There are also opportunities in management, although these will mean less student contact and less research, and will involve more administration and paperwork.

The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education promotes strategically planned staff development and training and offers a range of courses.

Personal qualities

As a university lecturer, you should have extensive knowledge of your subject, keep up to date with new ideas and developments in your subject, have excellent spoken and written communication skills, and have the confidence to lecture to large groups.

You must have the commitment to undertake original research and write up your findings for publication, together with the ability to plan your own courses and lectures and devise your own teaching materials.

Looking ahead

There are around 95,000 lecturers situated all over the UK. Employment prospects are generally good, as the Government plans to encourage more young people to progress to higher education. However, entry to full-time appointments can be extremely competitive, with many new entrants working part-time or on short-term contracts as a researcher before moving into a lecturer role. There are shortages of lecturers in some subjects, including IT, science, business, management, accountancy, law, economics, nursing and midwifery, engineering and education.

Alternative suggestions

Other possibilities might include career/personal adviser, further education lecturer, teacher or youth worker.

Take-home pay

Starting salaries (for full-time and longer term contracts) range from around £19,000 to £26,000, but it is worth noting that many new lecturers are on short-term contracts and may be paid at hourly rates. The average salary for lecturers in their late 30s is around £32,000.

Effects

Individual universities set conditions for their lecturers, so these may vary from institution to institution. In universities created after 1992, for example, it is recommended that lecturers on the national contract spend no more than 18 hours a week, or 550 hours a year, on formal scheduled teaching. The rest of their working time is spent preparing lectures and teaching materials, marking, administration and self-directed research or other academic activity.

Sabbaticals (usually up to one academic year) may be offered to lecturers to allow them to pursue their research interests in greater depth. This would normally only apply to lecturers with a minimum of three years' service in their university.

Sources of information

University and College Union: www.aut.org.uk
Higher Education Academy: www.heacademy.ac.uk
Leadership Foundation for Higher Education: www.lfhe.ac.uk/
Universities UK: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk