Lecturers are generally based in centres of higher or further education, and the role combines teaching, administrative duties and research.
University lecturer roles typically involve both lecturing and research.
Typical work activities
- Designing and developing courses
- Planning and delivering lectures
- Setting and marking coursework and exams
- Supervising student research projects
- Undertaking research and completing write ups, submitting journals and presenting at conferences
- A range of administrative duties
- Interviewing course applicants
- Writing research and funding proposals
- Supervising PhD students
- Managing research budgets
Qualifications
- Complete a bachelor’s degree in your chosen subject. To progress to the master’s course you will need a first or second class honours degree (some master’s courses specify upper second class honours).
- Complete a postgraduate course relevant for the area you want to lecture in.
- Complete a PhD. This is likely to take another three-four years. Many institutions offer these research based courses, including some which come with funding. Consider your choice of topic very carefully as you will be working on it solidly for at least three years.
Work experience
You will generally be expected to have completed some teaching experience. As a PhD student you may be given opportunities to teach undergraduates or assist with their field trips to gain this sort of experience.
Commercial or industrial experience in the field you wish to lecture in may also be beneficial.