University Lecturer

Roles and responsibilities

To prepare yourself for a career as a university lecturer:

Step 1
Complete any undergraduate bachelor’s course {Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)} as your first degree.

Step 2
Complete a postgraduate Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy - Research. 

University lecturers and tutors:

• prepare and deliver lectures, tutorials and practical classes
• assess student assignments and grade student performance
• keep an eye on student progress and supervise research students
• discuss with students their progress and/or aspirations
• organise and conduct field trips and excursions
• research a specialised field of study and publish the findings in books or professional and academic journals
• attend meetings and conferences to do with research, budget and policy matters and departmental administration
• plan courses in consultation with other staff, arrange course timetables and coordinate and supervise teaching assistants to conduct classes
• serve on departmental or faculty committees dealing with general departmental and administrative concerns
• prepare departmental budgets and associated reports
• provide professional consultative services to government and industry

After graduation you may consider becoming a university lecturer or tutor. You will already have a good idea of what such a position entails. 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.

Source: myFuture