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Further education lecturer

Alternative titles for this job include Further education tutor, further education teacher, FE teacher

Further education (FE) lecturers teach adult learners, students over 16, and students aged 14 to 16 on work-related learning.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£80,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 37 a week

You could work

evenings flexibly

How to become a further education lecturer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You can do a degree in a subject that is taught in further education, that includes qualified teacher status (QTS).

If you have a degree in a curriculum subject without QTS, you can get it by completing one of the following:

  • a postgraduate teacher training course at university
  • a school-based training programme

You can search for teacher training courses on GOV UK.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English and maths
  • a degree to teach an academic subject

More information

College

You can do a teaching qualification at college. Qualifications include:

  • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
  • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners

You'll be expected to have a lot of experience, and qualifications in the subject you want to teach. You'll also need access to a minimum of 100 hours of teaching practice to apply for the course.

You may be able to start by doing the Level 3 Introductory Award or Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training if you have fewer hours' practice experience.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More information

Apprenticeship

You can complete a learning and skills teacher higher apprenticeship.

You'll need a qualification in the subject you want to teach. Employers will be looking for relevant up-to-date industry experience.

You'll also need to show ability in English, maths and IT.

More information

Work

You may be able to apply directly to job vacancies if you have several years' experience and qualifications in a trade, for example plumbing or hairdressing.

You would then train for a teaching qualification on the job. You'll need your employer's support to do this.

Volunteering and experience

It will be useful to have experience of working with young people through paid work or volunteering at a school or college, or at a youth club.

Do-it has more information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

Direct application

You can apply directly to work in further education if you're a school teacher with qualified teacher status.

More information

Career tips

You can get qualified teacher learning and skills status while you work.

Further information

You can find out more about working in further education from Get Into Teaching and FE advice.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • customer service skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

  • interviewing potential students
  • planning and preparing lessons and submitting plans to management
  • working with exam boards in setting and marking essays and exams
  • checking students' progress and acting as a personal tutor
  • working with course teams to develop new courses and teaching materials
  • carrying out admin tasks like keeping records and ordering resources
  • taking part in meetings and events like open days
  • attending training courses and keeping up with professional development
  • supervising practical work within health and safety guidelines

Working environment

You could work at a college, at a school or in a prison.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

You could become a senior lecturer or head of department, or move into management. You could also become a a training assessor.

Another option is to work as an examiner, or write textbooks or online education resources.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship (Level 5)

  • Wage : £18,000.00 - £22,000.00 Annually
  • Location: TN10 3JU
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training

  • Provider: LONDON SCHOOL OF COMMERCE & IT LIMITED
  • Start date: 20 January 2020
  • Location: London

Diploma in Education and Training

  • Provider: GENIUS SOLUTIONS LIMITED
  • Start date: 07 September 2020
  • Location: WITNEY
Find courses near you

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