Further education lecturers teach students in colleges, or adult or community education centres. They may teach a vocational subject (such as hairdressing or joinery), an academic subject (such as history or maths) or a leisure subject (such as pottery or cookery). Most students are over 16, but some may be younger.
The Work
You could be:
organising and teaching courses, many leading to qualifications, in one or more subjects, to students who may be full time, part time, on day release or block release from work, or taking an evening course
preparing courses (following a set syllabus), planning lectures and other sessions
preparing leisure courses, to suit the interests of members of your class
teaching classes, giving demonstrations and leading discussions
depending on your subject, supervising practical work, field trips, student projects and work placements
giving additional support to students who need it
setting and marking students’ work – essays, projects and assessments
keeping up to date with changes in your subject, and developing new courses
interviewing new students, attending staff meetings and doing administrative work.
Pay
In Scotland there are no national pay scales for further education lecturers. Each college has its own pay scale. The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
the college in which you work
your qualifications and experience
the subject you are teaching.
Starting salaries can be from £20,000 to £25,000 a year. The top of the lecturer scale varies from about £31,000 to £42,000 a year. Senior lecturers can earn over this a year.
Conditions
Depending on the subject, you would teach in a classroom, workshop, studio, kitchen, laboratory, farm buildings or outdoors. You might teach some courses on employers’ premises.
You might work full time or part time, during the day but possibly also in evenings and perhaps at weekends.
If you work full time you will teach classes for about 22.5 hours a week, but you would spend additional time on preparation, marking and administration, in the evenings or at weekends.
Lecturing can be a demanding job, both physically and mentally.
Your way into this career will vary depending on the subject you intend to teach.
To teach an academic subject you need an appropriate degree (SCQF Level 9-10). Related experience in business or industry is helpful. If you teach an academic subject, a school teaching qualification is useful but not essential.
To teach a vocational subject you should have an appropriate degree, HND (SCQF Level 8), HNC (SCQF Level 7), professional qualification or relevant SVQ (SCQF Level 5-11), together with relevant commercial or industrial experience.
It is recommended that you study the Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) before starting work.
In Scotland, the universities of Aberdeen and Stirling are approved to offer the TQFE. The University of Strathclyde also offers the course Leading Learning & Transformative Practice in Colleges (with TQFE).
You may have to start as a part time or sessional lecturer, perhaps teaching only a few hours a week, on a temporary basis.
You may then be able to increase your teaching hours and when there is a full time vacancy (in your college or another) your experience should help your application.
Full time jobs are advertised in the press and you apply direct to the college. It is also worth approaching colleges to ask about possible vacancies in your subject.
You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
communicate well with students of various ages and all levels of ability
explain new ideas clearly
hold the attention of students and motivate them to study.
Training
If you work in Scotland and you do not have a teaching qualification, you would take the TQFE by part time study or distance learning while you are teaching in a college.
Most colleges arrange for their lecturers to take the TQFE.
For entry to the TQFE, as well as your degree or vocational qualification, you need a level of English, Maths and IT to meet the demands of the course.
Lecturers may work towards initial teaching qualifications - Professional Development Awards (PDA) - which are run part time. These awards can lead to further study for the TQFE.
You must keep up to date with developments in your teaching subjects, and this will include taking in-service courses run by your college.
Getting On
Once you have a permanent, full time post, and your TQFE, you can take other courses to help you progress, perhaps to become a senior lecturer, head of department or college principal.
Your chances of promotion are better if you are willing to take on extra duties and gain broader experience.
You might move to work in an adult education centre, community learning centre, the prison service or the Armed Forces.
The British Council sometimes recruits lecturers to work in developing countries.
More Information
The Scottish Government recommends that all permanent, full time college lecturers should complete the TQFE within three years of appointment, and permanent, part time lecturers within five years.
2024
