Student news

We’re investing in student support

The University is creating a new student support model to support students during their time here.

The new model of student support will deliver more consistent support for students, with enhanced teams of staff working alongside academics and other professional services staff to provide guidance and support to students.

It has been developed following an intensive review and consultation of the old model, which showed that while the personal tutor and student support provision was effective in some areas, there remained scope for improvement in the overall provision of support for students.

As part of the new model, Student Advisers and Wellbeing Advisers will be introduced across the University to provide streamlined academic and wellbeing support for students.

The model will be rolled out as part of a phased approach from the beginning of the 2022/2023 academic year, with the majority of students currently studying at the University moving to the new model of support from 2023/24.

Support with your studies

The new model moves the University from its current personal tutor system to an adviser system in each School.

Student Advisers will become the first point of contact to assist students with their studies.

Students will continue to be able to access support from academic members of staff and Directors of Learning and Teaching and Senior Tutors will continue to play critical roles within the evolved model of support.

The new Student Adviser roles will be in place in the 2022/23 academic year for first-year students and some Postgraduate Taught students within the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and in Biomedical Sciences within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (CMVM). 

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is enhancing their existing student support services and initially will have Student Advisers available for some year groups within the Business School, School of Economics, School of History, Classics & Archaeology, and the School of Social and Political Science.

Most other students – particularly the majority of undergraduates going into second year and above – will continue to receive their academic support from their personal tutors as they have previously.

Students who will have a Student Advisor instead of a Personal Tutor in the next academic year will be informed of the changes by their School.

Wellbeing and pastoral support

Wellbeing Advisers will be available to students who may be experiencing issues impacting on their health, wellbeing, studies and personal lives.

These roles will be in place within Schools from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.

They will work alongside School Student Support Teams and the existing wellbeing services students can currently access.