Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Higher education lecturer

Higher education lecturer

Alternative titles for this job include HE lecturer, university lecturer

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

Average salary (a year)

£37,000 Starter

to

£56,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in higher education from Advance HE.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work at a university or at a college.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a higher education lecturer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a higher education lecturer?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.