Hiring and Sponsoring Higher education teaching professionals (SOC Code 2311)

Higher Education Teaching Professionals, classified under SOC Code 2311, are essential contributors to the academic landscape, shaping the minds of students in various fields of study. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities aimed at fostering an enriching educational environment:

• Prepares, delivers, and directs lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
• Administers and marks examinations, essays, and other assignments effectively.
• Advises students on academic matters, guiding them towards independent research.
• Provides pastoral care or guidance to support student well-being.
• Participates in decision-making processes regarding curricula, budgetary concerns, departmental affairs, and more.
• Directs the work of postgraduate students, mentoring and supervising their academic progress.
• Engages in research activities, writes articles and books, and attends conferences and other scholarly meetings.

With a focus on maintaining high educational standards, the demand for qualified higher education teaching professionals remains robust. Institutions across the UK are continuously seeking talented individuals from both domestic and international pools to contribute to their academic missions. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding how to effectively hire and support higher education teaching professionals within the framework of the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Higher education teaching professionals?

SOC Code 2311 refers to higher education teaching professionals who are responsible for imparting knowledge and skills to students in a variety of academic environments. Their responsibilities can include:

• Preparing and delivering lectures: Organizing and presenting course material in an engaging manner to facilitate learning.
• Conducting seminars and tutorials: Leading small group discussions and interactive sessions to deepen understanding of subjects.
• Assessing student work: Preparing, administering, and marking examinations, essays, and other assignments to evaluate student performance.
• Advising students: Offering guidance on academic matters, helping students shape their educational paths, and encouraging independent research.
• Providing pastoral care: Supporting students' emotional and personal well-being throughout their academic journey.
• Participating in curricula decisions: Involvement in budgetary, departmental, and curriculum-related decision-making processes.
• Supervising postgraduate students: Directing and mentoring graduate research projects and thesis work.
• Conducting research: Engaging in scholarly research, writing articles and books, and sharing findings at conferences and meetings.

Higher education teaching professionals play a vital role in the development of knowledge and skills in students, promoting academic excellence, and contributing to the advancement of their fields through research and scholarship.

Eligibility to Hire Higher education teaching professionals (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Higher education teaching professionals must possess a strong academic background and demonstrate excellence in teaching to meet the following qualifications and experience criteria:

• Educational Qualifications: A relevant degree (typically at least a Master’s or Doctorate) in the field of expertise.
• Teaching Experience: Proven experience in teaching at the higher education level, with a track record of delivering lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
• Curriculum Development: Ability to contribute to curriculum design and development, ensuring alignment with academic standards and institutional goals.
• Assessment Skills: Proficiency in preparing, administering, and grading examinations, essays, and other assessments effectively and fairly.
• Student Advising: Demonstrated capacity to advise students on academic matters and foster independent research, as well as providing pastoral care and academic support.
• Research Experience: Active engagement in research, including writing articles and books, and participation in conferences and academic meetings.
• Leadership Ability: Experience directing and mentoring postgraduate students, guiding them in their academic pursuits and research projects.
• Decision-Making Participation: Involvement in departmental decision-making processes related to curricula and budgetary matters.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 2311, and that the professional’s academic background and experience meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Higher education teaching professionals: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Higher education teaching professionals under SOC Code 2311.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Higher education teaching professionals, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Higher education teaching professionals under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Higher education teaching professionals. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Higher education teaching professionals applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Higher education teaching professionals’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Higher education teaching professionals can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Higher education teaching professionals

Before the Higher education teaching professionals begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Higher education teaching professionals’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Higher education teaching professionals holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Higher education teaching professionals’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Higher education teaching professionals’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Higher education teaching professionalss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Higher education teaching professionals

Sponsoring Higher education teaching professionals under SOC Code 2311 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Higher education teaching professionals, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Higher education teaching professionals under SOC Code 2311 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.