- Professors don’t just teach – they lead research, publish work, and often mentor PhD students along the way.
- Academic careers usually start with a lecturer role and move up through ranks like associate and full professor.
- It’s a long road to the top – becoming a professor can take over 10 years of study, research, and teaching experience.
Professors are experts in their fields. You can become a Professor of Biology, Literature, Law, History… In short, just about any subject taught at the university level. Reaching this title means you’ve climbed to the highest academic rank, which comes after years of studying, researching, and teaching.
If you’re passionate about your subject and enjoy both research and teaching, this could be the right career path for you. Find out more about how to become a professor in our guide below.
What does a professor do?
A professor teaches university courses to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. They also continue contributing to their academic field by publishing papers and supervising student research. Daily tasks for professors include:
- Giving lectures and supervising PhD students
- Designing course materials and assessments
- Meeting with students during office hours to talk about research
- Conducting original research and applying for funding in their fields
- Attending academic conferences
- Publishing articles in academic journals
Just a quick note: The definition of professor depends on where you are. The term itself also means high school (or middle school) teacher in some parts of the world. But in an academic context, it is the highest academic level you can get (like a black belt in field-specific smartness).
A professor is a teacher at a university or college who gives lectures, does research, and helps students learn more about a subject. Professors are usually experts in their field.
Before becoming professors, people hold more junior titles such as Lecturer or Senior Lecturer. In the US, professor is a broader term. You’ll see titles like Assistant Professor (equivalent of Lecturer in the UK) and Associate Professor (equivalent of Senior Lecturer in the UK).
There are also differences in PhD programmes around the world, so it’s worth exploring what the academic path looks like in the country where you plan to study or work.
Academic ranks in teaching/research (university careers)
Not all of your university professors… are professors. Sounds confusing, but here’s how it goes: university academic ranks start with lecturer, move up to senior lecturer or associate professor (also called conferentiary in some countries), and reach the highest level as professor. Each rank reflects more experience, research, and teaching responsibility.
Rank/Level | Description |
Lecturer / Assistant Professor | Entry-level teaching position |
Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor / Conferentiary | Mid-level, with more teaching and research |
Professor / Full Professor | Highest academic rank, leads research |
Emeritus Professor | Retired professor with honorary status |
Is becoming a professor the right path for you?
Becoming a professor is a long journey. You’ll need to spend many years studying Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees, writing long academic papers, and conducting advanced-level research in your field. The following skills are essential:
- Academic writing
- Research skills for your field
- Ability to work independently
- Effective communication skills to talk about your findings and connect with students
- Being able to handle teaching, research, and admin work
Professor vs teacher
The main difference in the teacher vs professor comparison is the level and setting of education: teachers work in schools and focus on basic learning, while professors teach at universities and guide students through advanced topics and research. Both play a key role in education, but at different stages of a student’s journey.
Feature | Teacher | Professor |
Where they work | Schools (primary or secondary) | Universities or colleges |
Who they teach | Children or teenagers | Young adults and adults |
Focus | Basic education and general knowledge | Advanced topics and specialised subjects |
Qualifications | Usually has a teaching degree or certificate | Usually has a PhD or other advanced degree |
Main tasks | Teach, prepare lessons, manage classroom | Teach, do research, publish, mentor students |
Title | Called “Mr./Ms.” or “Teacher” | Called “Professor” |
What degree do you need to become a professor?
To become a professor, you’ll likely need a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or an equivalent Doctorate degree in the field you’d like to specialise in. This means you’ll need to study for quite a few years after secondary school. Here’s the typical path:
Stage | What it involves |
Bachelor’s degree | 3-4 years in a subject you want to specialise in |
Master’s degree | 1-2 years to deepen your knowledge and specialise even more |
PhD or an equivalent Doctorate degree | 3-6 years of original research and a written thesis |
No matter what stage you’re in, you can use Studyportals to find degrees all around the world. In the search bar, type the subject you’d like to study (Biology, Physics, History, etc.) and set up extra filters for the country you’d like to study in. We have three different platforms:
- If you’re a secondary school student looking for undergraduate programmes, check out Bachelorsportal
- If you’ve already completed your undergraduate degree, check out Mastersportal
- If you’re considering a PhD, check out PhDportal
Training and experience during and after your PhD
Many PhD students teach part-time during their degrees. It’s a great way to gain teaching experience, earn some extra money, and build confidence in explaining complex topics. After all, you’ll do more of this as a professor.
After earning your PhD, you can take on another teaching assistantship role or a post-doc position. A post-doc is a temporary research job where you continue publishing papers and researching. Think of it as another step before applying for permanent university positions.
How is becoming a professor different around the world
In many European countries, candidates need to go through a process called habilitation after their PhDs. This is an extra step to check if you have enough teaching and research experience.
In the UK and the USA, there’s no habilitation. Instead, you usually start as a Lecturer (UK) or Assistant Professor (USA) and work your way up. This, of course, depends on your field, your university, and whether there are temporary or permanent positions available.
Here’s what a professor's typical job path looks like in different countries:
Typical studies | What comes after your studies? | Positions before becoming a professor | |
UK | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Post-doc, teaching assistantship | Lecturer, Senior Lecturer |
USA | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Post-doc, teaching assistantship | Assistant Professor, Associate Professor |
Germany | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Post-doc, habilitation | Junior Professor, W2/W3 Professor |
France | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Post-doc, agrégation exam | Maître de conférences (Lecturer) |
India | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | National Eligibility Test (NET) and State Eligibility Test (SET) exams | Assistant Professor, Associate Professor |
Australia | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Post-doc, teaching assistantship | Lecturer, Senior Lecturer |
Final tips to succeed in your professor journey
Becoming a professor takes a lot of time and dedication. While you balance research and teaching, make some time for networking. Attend conferences, seminars, and research groups to get your name out there. You never know — these events can open up post-doc roles which can then lead to tenured positions.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a professor?
To become a professor, you’ll typically need 10-20 years after secondary school. This includes completing a Bachelor’s, a Master’s, a PhD, a post-doc, and more junior teaching roles.
2. How difficult is it to become a professor?
Being a professor is not easy. Academia is competitive, and there aren’t as many professor roles as there are PhD graduates. But with strong research, consistent publishing, and teaching experience, it’s possible.
3. Is being a professor a good career choice?
Becoming a professor can be a rewarding path if you’re passionate about your subject, enjoy both teaching and research, and are ready to commit to a long-term academic journey.
