10. Academic student support

Academic personal tutoring

10.1.    An academic support model is in place for students in each School, as required by the University Policy for Academic Personal Tutoring (PDF, 288kB). This model is mainly delivered by two roles:

• the Senior Tutor (or an approved equivalent role) 
• the Academic Personal Tutor (or ‘personal tutor’).

10.2.    Personal tutoring includes regular contact between students and their personal tutors. The policy sets expectations on the frequency of these meetings.

10.3.    The academic progress and engagement of students, especially those who have not completed or passed assessment at crucial points in the academic year (for example, following teaching block 1) is reviewed by each school.

Dissertation supervision (in taught postgraduate degree programmes) 

10.4.    Each student is assigned a dissertation supervisor by their school. 

10.5.    The dissertation supervisor:

• provides guidance on the nature of the dissertation and the standard of work expected 
• advises students on the planning of the dissertation
• discusses the timetable and dates for completion of different stages 
• advises students on any training necessary for completion of the dissertation (for example, statistical or software courses). This may include referral to other sources of help and advice.  

10.6.    The dissertation supervisor does not proof-read or edit dissertations. In programmes where a supervisor is permitted to review a specified draft of a dissertation, they may only comment on:  

• dissertation or report structure
• content of sections
• research sources and methodology
• referencing and style. 

10.7.    If a student is permitted to re-submit their dissertation by an exam board, the dissertation supervisor ensures that the student:

• understands the examiners’ feedback
• and knows what is required for re-submission.