Like all teaching positions, being a university lecturer can be a fulfilling career. Especially for those who have a passion for imparting knowledge and helping students understand new concepts. For them, the feeling experienced when their pupils take those lessons and apply them successfully, is second to none.
The difference with lecturing at university is that you’re helping students at the latter end of their educational journeys. Through your lectures and seminars, they are honing their knowledge in a subject they are passionate about. To study at degree level means they either want to excel in a specific career or because the subject is of particular interest to them.
Being a University Lecturer
Generally, students at this level are more captivated by their studies. This means the tense, disciplinary situations that often take place at other levels of teaching aren’t usually required.
Instead, you get to enjoy watching the love of their subject blossom and their academic understanding deepen. You can also help guide them in their choice of career, playing a key part in their future.
It’s not all one way though. Your own love of the subject can develop too. The way students think about and question the theory can provide a source of inspiration. Sometimes giving you a new perspective on your academic work. Lecturers are also often required to continue studying their specialism. Reading, writing books, papers and carrying out research to stay at the top of their field, in addition to lecturing.
Another benefit of lecturing is the autonomy you have in the way you teach. Where school teachers must stick to the National Curriculum, university lecturers often develop their part of the degree course themselves.
Many universities also tend to provide a more flexible working environment compared to other jobs. When not required on campus, lecturers can often work from home.
What Are the Must-Haves for Becoming a University Lecturer?
To teach your specialism at the university level, you need to know it back to front. In other words, you need to demonstrate you are fit to be classed as an expert in the subject. There is a lengthy process required to reach this level and, unsurprisingly, it means you must be qualified too.
Completing an undergraduate degree
You’ll need to study a degree in the area you want to teach and achieve a 2:1 or higher. There are lots of courses available and many institutions to choose from. Entry requirements for each institution can vary so be sure to check with your chosen university in advance.
If you achieve great grades before applying to study at university, more prestigious universities will open their doors for you. Graduating with a good mark from a higher ranking institution can help your job application when you apply to become a University Lecturer later on.
Most undergraduate degrees take 3 to 4 years of full-time study, depending on the subject you choose.
Completing postgraduate studies
Along with your university degree, you will need either a master’s degree or a PhD to work as a lecturer.
The majority of lecturing positions in good universities in academic subjects now require a PhD as standard.
A master’s degree will go into greater depth than your undergraduate degree. Focussing on a specific area of the wider subject. Typically, they take between 1 to 2 years to complete.
A PhD is the highest level of degree that you can achieve. It involves independent and original research in your specific field or subject. You must then use your research to write a thesis worthy of publication. The thesis needs to prove your familiarity with the entire field associated with your research. Also, that you are contributing new knowledge to the area.
Having a PhD qualifies you to teach your subject at the university level or work in a specialised area of your field.
Full-time PhDs usually take 3 to 4 years to complete. You sometimes need a master’s degree as well as a bachelor’s to study a PhD, but not always. Check the entry requirements at your institution before you apply.
Again, finding highly rated PhD programmes to study can make you more desirable to universities down the line.
Aren’t A Levels Essential to Studying at University?
To begin this process and study at the undergraduate level also requires qualifications.
Typically, 5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above (including English and maths), not forgetting the 2 to 3 A Levels most universities look for.
If for whatever reason you don’t have the relevant qualifications, the thought study can be off-putting as it takes time to qualify.
For example, the average online student completes an A Level in around 9 months. If you require two or three, this could take you 18 months to two and a half years to get the qualifications you need.
Adding that to the already lengthy process can make your university lecturing career feel very far away.
Don’t fret, there is a much quicker way to get there. A Levels aren’t the only answer.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
An Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised alternative route to reach university. Designed for those looking to obtain an A Level equivalent qualification at a later stage in life, they streamline the process for you.
Where normally you would need 2 or 3 A Levels on your application, only one Access to HE Diploma course is required. This means you can start your undergraduate studies much quicker. Reaching your university lecturing position faster than you would otherwise. With an average completion time of 9 months, depending on when you enrol, you could complete your Access to HE Diploma and apply to university within a year.
With most universities expecting the 5 GCSEs above C (4) as well, should you need these, Functional Skills courses are another great alternative if you don’t have the required grades in maths and English. They are recognised as a GCSE equivalent and can get you qualified in a few months.
Access to HE Diplomas are available to anyone aged 19 or over, with no upper age limit. If you successfully complete all the modules in the course, your Access to HE Diploma could earn you up to 144 UCAS points. Equating to 3 A grades at A Level which is high enough to get onto the majority of undergraduate degrees.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas are accepted by most universities. With a variety of courses like Natural Science, Humanities and Social Work offered, you can be confident your chosen specialism will be one of them.
Study Online
Take the fast track to your career as a University Lecturer by studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma online. Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the UK’s leading distance learning providers, with many Access to Higher Education Diplomas available. Click the link below to view our Access to Higher Education Diplomas and enrol.
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