University Administrator
Also advertised as: Admissions Administrator, Course Administrator, Departmental Administrator, Faculty Administrator, Student Records Officer, University Administrator
Supports academic departments with admissions, timetabling, exams and student records.
What the job involves
University administrators keep departments running by managing student records, coordinating timetables and supporting exam boards. You are often the first point of contact for students with queries about their course. Progression usually comes through moving into faculty management or specialist services such as admissions or student support.
Typical responsibilities
- Maintain student records and course data
- Coordinate timetabling and room bookings
- Support exam boards and assessment processes
- Respond to student and staff queries
- Produce reports for department heads
Common employers
- Universities
- Higher education colleges
- Research institutes
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £26,000 a year
With experience
£28,000 – £35,000 a year
Typical hours
35 to 37 hours
Working environment
Office based on campus
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Administration
- Database systems
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Prioritisation
Transferable skills you may already have
- Office administration
- Diary and event coordination
- Data entry
Requirements employers ask for
- Administration
- Database systems
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Prioritisation
Useful but not essential
- Office administration
- Diary and event coordination
- Data entry
- Experience in an office or customer service role
- Higher education sector knowledge
Helpful qualifications
- Experience in an office or customer service role
- Higher education sector knowledge
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Business Administrator (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Business administration
Where this career can lead
next
Faculty Manager
next
Student Services Manager
next
Admissions Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Stable, structured working environment
- Access to staff development benefits
- Predictable working patterns
What people find hard
- Repetitive during peak admissions and exam periods
- Limited pay growth without a move into management
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a university administrator?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a university administrator earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £26,000 a year, rising towards £35,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Office administration, Diary and event coordination, Data entry.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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