The BBC said Spacey, who is also artistic director of The Old Vic Theatre Company in London, has been selected to be the next Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at St. Catherine's College, Oxford.

Spacey's job will be to promote contemporary theater at the university. He will take over the post from British actor Patrick Stewart, when the next academic year begins in October, the report said.

"It really is an honor for me to have been invited to follow such illustrious names and take up this role at Oxford. The university is steeped in tradition and has a great heritage in the arts and I look forward to working with the students and staff," the BBC quoted Spacey as saying. "I relish the challenge ahead and am excited for term to begin."

Spacey is best known for his roles in the films "The Usual Suspects," "L.A. Confidential" and "American Beauty."