Lecturing and Research in Further and Higher Education
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in post-compulsory education; lecturing and research in Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) settings.
Teaching in Further and Higher Education
Finding a job or employer
International vacancies
Further information and useful links
Teaching in Further and Higher Education
Most further education (FE) lecturers need a teaching qualification of some sort (but it is possible to qualify while you teach), and either a degree or substantial trade or professional experience (Targetjobs). The number of part-time lecturers in further education in England and Wales is approaching 100,000, which represents around two-thirds of the workforce.
The FE Sector employs a whole range of people: teachers, tutors, trainers, principals and chief executives, lecturers, learning support, account managers, facilities and human resources staff, inclusion managers and all others that work in colleges, work based learning, local authority, community or voluntary sector training provision.
Positions can be fractional, permanent and part-time, whilst sessional and fixed-term contracts are common. Growth in partnership working between organisations has resulted in lecturers moving between institutions, e.g. schools, higher education and community-based learning centres.
(Prospects)
An HE lecturer’s time is usually split between actual teaching contact, administrative tasks and their own research activities. Opportunities may arise to work outside a lecturer's own institution - in areas such as consultancy, the media, publishing and public speaking - but this varies according to the particular area of specialty. Opportunities for fully self-employed status are rare. Some subject areas require lecturing staff to undertake enterprise activities.
Career breaks are possible but as continued funding for academic posts is dictated by the results of the Research Assessment Exercise, lecturers who do not maintain an active research profile may find themselves at a disadvantage in what is an extremely competitive sector.
Sabbaticals (usually up to one academic year) may be offered to staff to allow them to pursue their research interests in greater depth. This would normally only apply to lecturers with a minimum of three years' service in their institution. Commonly, academics on sabbatical are paid either half a year at full pay or the full year at half pay.
There are opportunities to work abroad. Demand for higher education lecturers in countries such as China, Australia and Hong Kong has increased. (Prospects)
Prospects - Types of jobs
Includes a range of job profiles including; adult education lecturer, further education lecturer and higher education lecturer.
Prospects - Teaching and Education sector
Provides an overview of the industry sector as a whole.
The LSIS Excellence Gateway
The most comprehensive collection of information and resources, networks and development opportunities, brought together specifically for the further education and skills sector.
Finding a job or employer
Education Guardian
Education pages of The Guardian newspaper, includes profiles on higher and further education, research news, guides, jobs and links.
Education Guardian University Guide
Interactive guide to universities and colleges. Resource of information on the UK's academic sector, covering some 60,000 vital statistics on 150 universities and colleges.
Jobs.ac.uk
Jobs in research, science, academic and related professions. This site also includes career-based articles with advice on planning, changing or furthering your career.
Teaching Jobs1
Advertises vacancies nationwide. Part of the One Job Group.
The Times Higher Education Supplement
This has a searchable vacancy database.
International Vacancies
Academic360
Geographical listing covering US, Canada, Australia & UK.
Academic Jobs EU
Full time, part time or contract positions in European academic institutions.
Association of Commonwealth Universities
With 500 member institutions across five continents.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Opportunities in the United States.
Further information and useful links
An Academic Career
Designed to help students, alumni and researchers who might be considering a career in academia. Developed by a team at The University of Manchester, it is designed to give readers a realistic understanding of what a career in academia involves and what it takes to be successful.
Association of Teachers and Lecturers
ATL is the union for education professionals across the UK.
Association of University Administrators
A charitable organisation devoted to promoting excellence in higher education management.
Beyond the PhD
A career resource for Arts and Humanities PhD researchers
University and College Union (UCU)
UCU is the trade union and professional association for academics, researchers, administrators, librarians, computer staff, and postgraduates who teach throughout UK higher education.
Higher Education Academy
The Higher Education Academy champions excellent learning and teaching in higher education.
Research Councils UK
Research Councils UK (RCUK) are responsible for investing public money in research in the UK to advance knowledge and generate new ideas which lead to a productive economy, healthy society and contribute to a sustainable world.
Staff and Educational Development Association
The professional association for staff and educational developers in the UK, promoting innovation and good practice in higher education
Universities and Colleges Employers Association
Provides UK higher education institutions with a framework for discussion, advice and guidance on a range of pay and employment matters.
Universities UK
Its mission is to be the definitive voice for all universities in the UK, providing high quality leadership and support to its members to promote a successful and diverse higher education sector.