Personal Tutors' Handbook

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• Guidance & Support for Personal Tutors
  • The Role of the Personal Tutor
    • Students' Need for Guidance and Support
    • Responsibilities of the Personal Tutor
    • Skills for Effective Personal Tutoring
    • Essential Knowledge for Personal Tutors
    • Referral List
    • Basic Principles of Good Practice
    • UCL Personal Tutoring Strategy
  • Formats for Personal Tutorials
  • Support for Personal Tutors
• Helping Students in Difficulty
• Frequently Asked Questions

UCL Personal Tutoring Strategy

The provision of personal tutoring is widespread across the UK Higher Education sector, but practice varies considerably between institutions and departments. The common themes however are the local availability of a single point of personal contact for guidance, support and referral where appropriate. The personal tutoring process addresses the wider aspects of the student experience than is normally possible in the circumstances of formal teaching. It has the potential to provide an integrating influence on the students’ learning, connecting often compartmentalised subjects of study and to encourage students to develop a wider perspective on their disciplines and on learning.

The resource of staff time taken up by personal tutoring can be offset by the benefits to students and the institution alike, with a greater proportion of new students successfully making the transition into the rigours of university life and achieving better outcomes in later stages. Not only is there a ‘safety net’ for those who encounter difficulties, but all students will benefit from the guidance and support of a suitably skilled personal tutor. Well conducted personal tutoring should assist students to develop as independent learners and to maximise the benefits available from their time at university and beyond.

UCL has been developing a Personal Tutoring Strategy, through which it is intended that its students:

1. are given the opportunity to reflect on their learning and academic progress and to discuss and formulate appropriate strategies to fulfil their potential during their studies at UCL;
2. are equipped with a lifelong approach to learning enabling continuing personal and intellectual growth;
3. are provided with pastoral support which is tailored to their needs, enabling them to take full advantage of their time at UCL to develop and maintain a healthy and happy outlook on life;
4. develop an awareness of the need for professional and career development and receive guidance on the planning and recording of skills development throughout their studies in order to realise their career aspirations;
5. experience the benefits of working with peers and academic tutors within a supportive atmosphere.