About this career
A lecturer provides specialised teaching and guidance to students in tertiary education, covering academic and vocational subjects across various fields. Their role is to prepare and present lectures, develop examination papers, and conduct research. They work in diverse environments, from lecture halls to outdoor settings, depending on their subject. Lecturers often engage in study tours, conferences, and symposia to stay updated in their field and maintain high standards of teaching and research.
Tasks performed by lecturers include:
- Preparing and presenting lectures for students at the tertiary level.
- Developing, invigilating, and marking examination papers.
- Guiding senior students in independent research projects.
- Attending staff meetings and managing research budgets.
- Conducting research, publishing findings, and writing research proposals.
Degree: Bachelors degree, followed by at least two post-graduate degrees
Post-graduate or advanced tertiary qualifications are required for lecturing. An honours degree is rarely sufficient. Usually a masters or doctors degree is required. Experience in teaching may be a requirement as well. Lecturers are expected to constantly better their qualifications, in order to acquaint themselves with developments in their field of study.
There are mainly two options for acquiring training as a professional lecturer: either by in-service training or by attending formal courses. Most tertiary institutions offer in-service training facilities for their lecturers. Courses for lecturers in specific subjects are available both at universities and universities of technology.
Career opportunities and prospects are usually bright, depending on the field of study and specialisation. The level at which a person is appointed varies from lecturer to full professor, depending on qualifications and experience.
Qualified lecturers, with the necessary experience in their field, can give private classes from their homes.
Additional information may be obtained from the above-mentioned universities or universities of technology.
- try to obtain vacation work with a researcher in your field of interest
- make an appointment to speak to a lecturer in your field of interest about this type of career
