Working for a university doesn’t just mean teaching – there are hundreds of opportunities available, if you know where to look.
With more than 2.28 million students passing through the doors of higher education in the UK every year, there are plenty of jobs out there that are needed to keep the university wheels turning. In fact, according to Universities UK, more than 410,000 staff were employed in higher education in 2015-2016, both in academic and non-academic roles.
From lecturing, academic research and cooking up a banquet to marketing and planting the college grounds, opportunities abound.
Getting Academic
The first thing people think about when working for a university is teaching, or lecturing. A Lecturer is someone who teaches academic subjects to undergraduate or postgraduate students aged 18 and upwards. A key part of the job is delivering lectures and seminars, as well as taking tutorials and supporting students.
Not only that, lecturers in higher education are expected to undertake research projects and publish in books or scholarly journals as a way of increasing their knowledge and raising the profile of their establishment.
Other tasks include marking exams, preparing teaching materials, assessing coursework, supervising students’ research, managing other staff and participating in professional conferences.
Universities also employ a lot of people in academic research. These positions become available as and when a project needs team members, and they often rely on grants for funding.
Research can be in any field and usually involves discovering something new such as in the field of medicine or, for example, developing new technology. You’ll also need to publish your results in academic journals and attend corporate events, as well as possibly supervise research students.
What qualifications will I need?
Lecturer: A first or 2:1 degree in the area you want to teach; a PhD in a relevant subject; teaching experience and original research for publication.
Academic researcher: A Masters or PhD in the subject area and experience within that field, plus good time management and organisational skills.
How much can I earn?
- Lecturer: From £33,000 to £58,000.
- Academic researcher: Around £30,000.
Behind the scenes
All good businesses require excellent staff behind the scenes, and universities are no different. There are many administrative roles available, such as Finance Administrator, Health and Safety Assistant, Library Services Assistant, Support Secretary, Receptionist, Student Support Adviser and Careers Adviser, as well as plenty of opportunities in human resources.
Communication is key, as well as super-efficient organisational skills.
What qualifications will I need?
Finance administrator: A-levels, AAT accounting qualification, experience in accounting systems.
Careers advisor: Experience in careers coaching and client relationship building
Library services: GCSE qualifications, good organisational skills.
How much can I earn?
- Finance administrator: £25,000 to £30,000.
- Careers advisor: £25,000 to £35,000.
- Library services: £16,000 to £25,000.
Technically speaking
In the science field, researchers need back-up staff such as technicians and laboratory assistants to help them in their work. You’ll be working as part of the team that’s leading the research and may also get the chance to help take part too. As part of the job, you maybe preparing materials for practical classes, providing technical support to students or managing equipment and resources, so it’s very varied.
Lab Assistants may be expected to sterilise glassware, collect and organise lab supplies, and carry out maintenance tasks, including care of equipment.
What qualifications will I need?
Technician: At least GSCE-level education, experience in the subject area, good communication skills, a high level of awareness of health and safety and an ability to work as part of a team.
Lab assistant: Previous lab experience is often required, the ability to carry out routine and repetitive tasks, knowing how to use databases and spreadsheets, good organisational and team skills.
How much can I earn?
- Technician: £15,000 to £30,000.
- Lab assistant: £20,000 to £25,000.
Keeping things running
A university doesn’t run on academic staff alone. Buildings, some of which are hundreds of years old, need maintaining (think repair work and painting), grounds need planting, clearing and mowing (ever fancied being Head Gardener?), sports pitches need maintaining, while students and staff need feeding, so there’s a whole catering department to fill.
Other crucial roles include marketing (which includes making students want to come to your establishment and promoting what it is you have to offer future students) and events management, such as selling your university as a potential venue for conferences and work events, including dinners and Christmas parties.
A good skillset here includes managing social media , planning and overseeing advertising campaigns, budgeting, and creating brand identity.
What qualifications will I need?
Marketing: Previous marketing experience, good communication skills.
Catering: Hotel or restaurant background, creative talent for cooking.
Groundsman: NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture.
Housekeeper: Experience in a similar role is usually required.
How much can I earn?
- Marketing: £16,000 to £40,000
- Catering: £16,000
- Groundsman: £16,000
- Housekeeper: £18,000
