What you can expect from your tutor

Your tutor’s role is to:

• Help you succeed on your programme of study
• Be a first point of contact for academic and personal support
• Help you to access University services if appropriate 

The University’s Personal Tutoring Policy (see left navigation bar) outlines in detail what you can expect from your tutor. The main points are summarised below. You should also look at the page What your tutor can expect from you to see how you can make the most of personal tutoring.

If you are not happy about your tutoring arrangements, please do something about it – talk to your tutor, or see What you can do if things go wrong in the left navigation bar.

Effective communication and regular meetings

Your can expect your tutor to:

• Explain the personal tutoring system and how to contact them (e.g. email, office hours)
• Maintain communication and be available, particularly if you have a problem 
• Arrange to see you individually or in a group at least once per semester (unless you are a distance learning student / off campus student). Sometimes a group approach to an issue can help more than just one person’s point of view.
• Reply to written communications (e.g. email) normally within two days. 

Academic support

You can expect your tutor to:

• Offer general academic guidance
• Help you to explore and plan your personal development, possibly through PDP – Personal Development Planning (see PDP and Employability page in the left navigation bar)
• Monitor and discuss your progress with you
• Help you to take control of your learning 

Advice and referral

You can expect your tutor to:

• Listen to and note any issues or problems (big or small) which are affecting you or your ability to study
• Refer you to expert support within the University – see Where you can go for additional help for details (left navigation bar)
• Maintain confidentiality (see Data Protection Act in the left navigation bar) 

Support with employability / job hunting

Your can expect your tutor to:

• Write references when you apply for jobs and courses – but do keep them up to date with your CV and achievements 
• Discuss your plans beyond your course – and refer you to e.g. the Careers and Employability Service for further support