Personal Tutoring
The Personal Tutoring scheme is designed to ensure that all students have regular opportunities to review their personal, academic and career development.
Policy
Click here for the full text of the Personal, Academic Tutoring Policy (63k pdf). How the policy is delivered varies between Schools, so please read the advice here in conjunction with local guidelines.
How does it work?
You will normally be assigned a personal tutor at the beginning of your degree. Your personal tutor will be one of the academic staff in your School, usually someone who teaches on your course.
Your personal tutor is there to keep an eye on your overall academic and personal welfare, and to advise you about other sources of help in the university, such as Student Services, the Academic Study Network on studentcentral or the Students' Union.
You will usually get a chance to meet your tutor during induction week or soon afterwards, and will then have one or two scheduled meetings a year to review your academic progress. You can also contact your tutor whenever you need advice on any matter, or to let them know about issues affecting your work or wellbeing.
General advice
However supportive your tutor may be, remember that it is your responsibility to use the tutorial system as effectively as possible.
- Get to know your tutor early on and discuss concerns before they turn into problems.
- Think about what you want to discuss and write it down. Your department may use a form to help you record issues.
- Try to agree a short list of actions by the end of the session – practical steps that you can take towards your goals. Writing them down will help you review your progress later.
- The university is introducing a new initiative called studentprofile, which provides relevant resources and a framework for planning and recording your personal and professional development.
Some common concerns
What if............I don’t like my personal tutor?
This is a professional rather than a personal relationship, so it is not
essential for your tutor to be your favourite lecturer. However, it is important
that you feel comfortable to be able to raise issues
that trouble you. If that is not the case, for whatever reason,
please discuss the problem with the Course Leader or another member of staff.
If necessary, you may be allocated a new tutor. However, don’t make
hasty decisions about your personal tutor, especially in the first few months of your course.
What if ...........my tutor isn’t there when I need them?
All your tutors have busy teaching timetables and many other commitments,
so they are unlikely to be in their room at all times when you might wish
to see them. Check the appointment system, or leave a message
with your School office if it’s urgent. If your tutor seems to be
consistently unavailable, then you could discuss the problem with your Course
Leader. Equally, don’t waste tutorial time by failing to turn up for
a meeting. Give notice if you need to cancel or reschedule - someone else
may be desperate for that appointment.
What if............I’m worried about money?
Financial difficulties, or problems caused by taking on too much part-time
work to make ends meet, are common causes of student stress.
There is no magic answer to this, but talking it over may help put things
in perspective, and there are practical sources of help and
advice available from both Student Services and the Students' Union Welfare
office.
What if............I’m having trouble with my coursework?
Specific difficulties should usually be discussed with your module
tutor. For general issues, such as managing deadlines or
structuring essays, then your personal tutor can offer advice,
or help you find additional support.
What if..........it’s too personal to discuss with my tutor?
However well you get on with your tutor, there may be issues that
you’d rather not discuss with them, especially if they involve health
or personal relationships. Again, the most important thing is that you find
someone suitable to talk to. Your tutor may refer you to sources of specialist
advice or you can go directly to Student Services and the Students' Union,
both of whom offer a support services.
Mitigating Circumstances
If your academic performance is adversely affected by ill health or serious personal difficulties, then your tutor may suggest that you submit a Mitigating Circumstances form to the Course Examination Board. (You will find details of this procedure in your Student Handbook.)
