Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How to become a lecturer
Inspire a generation of students with your passion for your specialist subject.
What is a lecturer?
Lecturers work in universities or further education colleges and combine teaching students with their own research and administrative duties.
How do I become a lecturer?
To become a lecturer you'll need a good degree in your chosen subject and in most cases a related PhD.
If you have ambitions to teach a vocational subject, you'll usually need solid experience working in the field as well as a degree or a professional qualification.
In order to teach, some universities or colleges might ask that you've have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) or equivalent.
Once you've completed your PhD, it'll help your profile among potential employers if you can have your work published. Presenting your research through conferences, workshops and lectures is also a great opportunity to connect with your academic peers and share your ideas.
What would I do as a lecturer?
As a lecturer you'll engage students in your specialist subject and extend knowledge through your own research.
As a higher education (HE) lecturer you'll be teaching students in your area of expertise through lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. Increasingly, contact time with students takes place online.
You'll also pursue your own research with the aim of getting published in books or academic journals and sharing your work at seminars or conferences. In this way, you'll be contributing directly to the research profile of your institution.
Typically your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing and delivering lectures, seminars and tutorials
- Developing courses and teaching materials
- Assessing students' coursework
- Setting and marking examinations
- Supervising students' research projects, including final year undergraduate projects, Masters or PhD dissertations
- Supervising your own research group, which may include research assistants, PhD and Masters students
- Advising and supporting students through college or university life
- Writing up research for publication
- Attending conferences and seminars related to your subject area
- Bidding for funding to support your department's research
- Administrative tasks such as student admissions, inductions and involvement in committees and boards
Becoming a lecturer could be for you if...
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You share success
There's a satisfaction in seeing your students develop and progress along their own learning journeys.
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Study is your passion
You're enthusiastic about your chosen subject and keen to share your knowledge.
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You're at home in academia
You've spent time as part of a learning community and you're comfortable there.
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You make networking work
You're good at building relationships with other researchers and institutions who can support your work.
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You're a plate-spinner
There are many different roles involved in being a lecturer and you'll need to keep everything in balance.
What are the typical working hours for a lecturer?
Typical working hours are 35 hours per week, although you'll probably work longer hours to cover all your responsibilities such as preparing for lectures, marking students' work, supervising students and conducting your own research.
You may be able to work part-time, and some lecturers can negotiate time away from teaching to focus on their research.
Salaries for higher education lecturers usually range from £33,797 to £49,553.
A senior lecturer can earn between £39,152 and £59,135.
If you become a professor, your salary could reach in excess of £100,000, depending on your experience and your responsibilities.
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