Each undergraduate and postgraduate taught student must be assigned a named member of academic staff in their School to act as their mentor and to whom they have timetabled access. In the case of postgraduate taught students, the Course Director may act as mentor, provided that each student can be assured a level of support and access comparable to that available to undergraduate students who have been allocated a mentor.
Mentors act as a first point of contact when students require advice, they must be able to provide their mentees with an appropriate level of information on both academic and non-academic issues.
In summary, examples of the support typically provided by mentors include:
acting as first point of contact when students require advice on academic and non-academic issues;
monitoring students’ academic progress, including advice, where appropriate, on suspension of study, change of course or withdrawal;
ensuring that students considered to be at risk are provided with appropriate, additional support;
helping students adjust to University life, particularly in the first few weeks;
assisting students with their Personal Development Plans, where applicable (with support from the Careers Advisory Service);
offering advice on matters such as module choice and, if relevant, employment/career opportunities;
directing students to further sources of information and advice within the University, linking directly with specialist staff at the institutional level;
helping students to maintain a strategic overview of their whole University career.