How to become a university professor or lecturer
Official title: University professors and lecturers
Also called: University lecturer, University professor, Lecturer - university, Law professor - university, University department head, Full professor - university, Department head - university, Drama professor - university, Music professor - university, Botany professor - university, Visiting scholar - university, Anatomy professor - university
University professors and lecturers teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students and conduct research at universities. University professors who are heads of departments are included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Teach one or more university subjects to undergraduate and graduate students
- Prepare and deliver lectures to students and conduct laboratory sessions or discussion groups
- Prepare, administer and grade examinations, laboratory assignments and reports
- Advise students on course and academic matters and career decisions
- Direct research programs of graduate students and advise on research matters
- Conduct research in field of specialization and publish findings in scholarly journals or books
- May serve on faculty committees dealing with such matters as curriculum planning and degree requirements, and perform a variety of administrative duties
- May represent their universities as speakers and guest lecturers
How to become one
A doctoral degree in the field of specialization is required for university professors. A master's degree in the field of specialization is required for university lecturers. Licences or professional certification may be required for professors teaching future practitioners in certain professionally regulated fields, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law.
Ways in
- University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Licences or professional certification may be required for professors teaching future practitioners in certain professionally regulated fields, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $114,836 a year The middle half earn $88,121 to $149,994.
- About 86,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 95,700 are projected by 2033. (+11.3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a university professor or lecturer?
A doctoral degree in the field of specialization is required for university professors. A master's degree in the field of specialization is required for university lecturers. Licences or professional certification may be required for professors teaching future practitioners in certain professionally regulated fields, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law.
How much does a university professor or lecturer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $114,836 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $88,121 to $149,994.
Is a university professor or lecturer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2033, from about 86,000 to about 95,700 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a university professor or lecturer?
Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03