How to become a University Lecturer

University Lecturer

University lecturers teach tertiary students in one or more subject areas and conduct research projects. They can present on certain topics or help students to develop skills in subject areas.

Personal requirements for a University Lecturer

  • Academic ability
  • Interested in original research
  • Enjoy and have an aptitude for teaching
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Confidence in presenting information to an audience and fielding questions
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Leadership and supervisory skills
  • Organisational skills and attention to detail
  • Able to analyse and solve problems

Education & Training for a University Lecturer

To become a university lecturer you usually have to complete a degree in your field, preferably at a masters or doctoral degree level. Relevant courses are widely available; consult institution handbooks for more information on courses in your field of interest. Previous teaching, research and/or industry experience is also looked on favourably by employing institutions.Postgraduate teaching courses may help you gain employment. Entry to postgraduate teaching courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree, as well as relevant work experience. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.


Duties & Tasks of a University Lecturer

University lecturers:

  • Prepare and deliver lectures, tutorials and practical classes
  • Assess student assignments and grade student performance
  • Supervise research students
  • Discuss with students their progress and/or aspirations
  • Organise and conduct field trips and excursions or other learning activities
  • Research a specialised field of study and publish the findings in books or professional and academic journals
  • Attend meetings and conferences related to research
  • Plan courses in consultation with other staff, arrange course timetables and coordinate and supervise teaching assistants to conduct classes
  • Serve on committees dealing with general departmental and administrative concerns
  • Prepare departmental budgets and associated reports
  • Provide professional consultative services to government and industry.

Tasks

  • Prepares and delivers lectures, and conducts tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions.
  • Compiles bibliographies of specialised materials for reading assignments.
  • Advises students on academic and related matters.
  • Prepares and marks essays, assignments and examinations.
  • Stimulates and guides class discussions.
  • Supervises work programmes of postgraduate and honours students and tutorial staff.
  • Conducts research and undertakes consultancies in a particular field of knowledge.
  • Attends departmental and faculty meetings, conferences and seminars.
  • Serves on council, senate, faculty and other committees and professorial boards.
  • Participates in setting course and degree requirements, curriculum revision and academic planning.

Working conditions for a University Lecturer

University lecturers may be employed on a full-time, part-time, contractual or casual basis. With further training and experience, a university lecturer may be promoted to a position of educational leadership, such as dean of a faculty, or a head of school or college principal.


Employment Opportunities for a University Lecturer

Tertiary institutions, such as universities, offer lectureships and other tertiary teaching positions. Lecturers may also be self-employed, working as consultants or in a professional practice. Competition for available positions is very strong.


Specializations

University Lecturer

University lecturers teach tertiary students in one or more subject areas and conduct research projects.

  • Average age
    Average age
    48 years
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    Strong
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    48% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    46 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    $2,511
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Very high skill
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Average unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    73% Full-Time
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    37,300 workers
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 3.8%
    NSW: 31.2%
    NT: 1.0%
    QLD: 17.2%
    SA: 6.9%
    TAS: 2.2%
    VIC: 28.3%
    WA: 9.4%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 0.1%
    20-24: 0.9%
    25-34: 11.9%
    35-44: 26.3%
    45-54: 28.6%
    55-59: 14.2%
    60-64: 10.2%
    65 and Over: 7.9%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 1.1%
    Bachelor degree: 11.2%
    Certificate III/IV: 0.4%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 85.7%
    Year 10 and below: 0.1%
    Year 11: 0%
    Year 12: 1.4%
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