Further Education Lecturer

Typical Salary

£24,000 To £37,000

Typical Hours

35 to 37 a week

evenings flexibly

How To Become a Further Education Lecturer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

College / University

You can do a further education (FE) teaching qualification at university, with a higher education institution or on a work-based training programme.

certificate in education
postgraduate diploma in post-compulsory education and training
postgraduate certificate in the lifelong learning sector
postgraduate certificate in further education and training

GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

You can do a teaching qualification at college. Qualifications include:

Certificate in Education
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training with a specialist pathway for teaching literacy, numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or teaching disabled learners

GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

You can complete a learning and skills teacher higher apprenticeship.

Routes into this Career

You may be able to apply directly for job vacancies if you have several years' experience and qualifications in a trade, for example plumbing or hairdressing.

You can then train for a teaching qualification on the job, if you have your employer's support.

You can apply directly to work in further education if you have relevant experience, knowledge and skills in a technical or academic subject.

You can also teach some subjects in further education if you have a background in schools teaching and hold qualified teacher status (QTS).

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to enjoy working with other people
customer service skills
sensitivity and understanding
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to work well with others
to be flexible and open to change
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

Your regular tasks may include:

planning and preparing classes for students
teaching lessons, taking tutorials and running practical workshops
using e-learning technology to deliver lessons
working with learning support staff to give students with special educational needs or disabilities extra help
checking and marking work and giving feedback
helping and motivating students facing barriers to learning and making sure that all students work well together
making referrals to other professionals like mentors, personal tutors, careers advisors and counsellors
taking registers, keeping records and ordering resources
making sure safeguarding and health and safety procedures are followed

You may also be involved in:

interviewing potential students
working with exam boards to set and mark essays and exams
meeting with subject colleagues and other staff to plan and review work and share good practice
planning and taking part in events like open days or recruitment activities
attending training courses and keeping up with professional development

Working Environment

You could work in a sixth form college, an independent training centre, at a college or in a prison.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

You can find opportunities with further education colleges, sixth form colleges, adult education centres, independent training providers and offender education schemes.

With experience, you can become a senior lecturer, head of department, education programme co-ordinator, or move into management. You could also become a training assessor.

Another option is to work as an examiner or write textbooks and online education resources.

Volunteering Opportunities

It will be useful to get experience of working with young people through paid work or volunteering at a school or college.

Do-it has more information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

Tips & Information

Career tips

You can get qualified teacher learning and skills status while you work, once you have a minimum of a level 5 teaching qualification.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in further education from FE advice and Get Into Teaching.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks