Best Universities for Personal Tutor 2022

It is easy to see why Liverpool Hope University is deserving of our number one spot. They offer a great blend of academic and learning support, supplying a team of subject tutors as well as a team of personal academic support tutors based within each of their faculties. Hope’s extensive induction programme ensures students meet with their tutors as early as possible to make sure they receive all the support they need.

Students at the University of Sheffield are fortunate to have a mix of both personal and academic tutors. Many departments also have senior tutors who make sure all of their students are accessing the support they need. Tutors meet with their students at several points in the year to make sure they are on track, both personally and academically. Students have praised the helpful support they have received from tutors and the wider staff in reviews.

St Andrews University’s 'Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development' (CEED) offers an outstanding level of personal and academic support to all students. From study skills, to maths and statistics, they have it covered. Students can book one-to-one sessions for individual support or join in with larger seminars covering a wide range of core topics. Additionally, each department also has its own 'Academic Skills Project' to help students develop the bespoke skills necessary for their chosen discipline.

Imperial College London knows that the transition to university can be hard. That's why every student is allocated a personal tutor from day one, so students can be fully supported both academically and personally. Tutors work with their students to keep them on track and help them plan their academic pathway.

"Tutors are everything you’d ever need"! Students at NUA are vocal in their praise of their tutors who are available, helpful and knowledgeable. With the majority of the staff at NUA having industry experience, tutors can guide their students both academically and professionally, meaning they are work-ready right from the point of graduating.

The University of Greenwich is a member of the 'UK Advising and Tutoring Association' (UKAT), the only UK organisation to offer professional recognition qualifications for personal tutors. This means that key members of their staff are professionally trained to support and advise students. Tutors are the key point of contact throughout a Greenwich student's life at university and are there to advise on academic study as well as the wider student experience.

The University of the Arts runs a wide range of student support initiatives across its colleges under its academic support department. This department supports students' academic and professional development through tutorials, seminars and online forums. The department has a specific focus on helping students thrive and learn in a creative environment and support is at hand across all levels of academic study from foundation to doctoral.

At Bangor University, a personal tutor forms an important part of the university experience. Personal tutors are specialists in their students' areas of study so they can benefit from expert help with any academic problem. But it’s not all about work. If students are experiencing problems with stress, homesickness or any other personal issues, they can also contact their tutor for help. Each department has a senior tutor to make sure no student slips through the net.

Students studying at the University of Warwick benefit from the support of their personal tutor throughout their time at university. Each department runs their personal tutoring slightly differently depending on the type of course they run. Every student is encouraged to develop their own personal development plan in partnership with their personal tutor. Warwick also recognises the work of their personal tutors through their 'Warwick Awards for Personal Tutoring Excellence' scheme.

Cardiff University has developed its own training programme for all its personal tutors, recognising the importance of this role in their students’ lives. Its code of practice sets out what students can expect from their department and tutors. There is even a requirement for Welsh-speaking students to have a Welsh-speaking tutor! Personal tutors can give advice and feedback on academic progress, discuss future career plans and promote professional development.

The University of Reading redesigned its academic tutoring system in 2018. This means every student is assigned an academic tutor from within the student's academic department. The tutor's goal is to support their student's academic and professional development. This helps students achieve the most out of their degree either through modules choices, reflecting on progress, looking at ways to improve or making the most of the opportunities university presents.

Personal tutors are a core element of Durham University’s collegiate system. Every college has a dedicated staff member to support student wellbeing but also their personal development. On top of that, each college has its own academic tutors who are fundamental to developing academic skills and ensuring students thrive in their degree. Through the Student Pledge, students are encouraged to act as good citizens by contributing to the life of their college and making the most of their academic experience.

It is clear that University of Liverpool students hold their personal tutors in high regard, and this was also true through the pandemic. The personal tutoring system varies between facilities and types of degree and is tailored to the needs of the course and students. Academic tutors are assigned based on the student's chosen discipline which ensures they are obtaining the most out of their degree.

Personal tutors at the University of Southampton are there to transition students into university life, keep track on academic progress and help students make the most of the university experience. Students have commented on their dedication and helpfulness in StudentCrowd reviews! Each department has a senior tutor to add an additional layer of support to tutors, as well as students.

Ulster University 'Advisers of Studies' are there to guide students in all sorts of different areas affecting their course, including the choice of optional modules, curriculum content, assessment, progress, and study and examination skills. The University of Ulster clearly puts a high value on tutoring as it offers its own 'Tutoring in School' scheme, where students are equipped to tutor school-aged children!

The personal tutoring system at the University of Plymouth is designed to support the university's aims to "promote achievement and life-long learning and to help ensure that each individual student is known and valued and that their needs are recognised and supported." Feedback from StudentCrowd reviews shows they are doing just that. Plymouth has developed its own guidance to ensure students get the same level of support no matter what course they are on.

The core aim of personal tutoring at Robert Gordon University is to help create an environment where every student can further their personal, social and academic development. Tutors provide the individual support and encouragement students need in their academic progress through university. This includes regular one-to-one sessions to help students reflect on their progress and make the most of uni life.

The University of Bristol have created their own unique approach to helping students make the most of their time. Each student is encouraged to create their own personal development plan, helping students identify the skills they are expected to develop at uni, as well as examples of opportunities to develop them. This is just one of the ways in which the University of Bristol is striving to help their students develop their full potential and be work-ready.

Personal academic tutors play a crucial role in supporting students throughout their time at the University of Birmingham. Students use Paddlepad, an interactive online portfolio, to capture their development and progress as they go through uni life. The university has created a set of core activities to guide students’ reflections on their learning and assessment as well as their future career. All of this is accessible after students leave university to help them in their future career planning.

Every student at Sheffield Hallam University has access to three dedicated advisors which form the student support triangle: a student support advisor, an academic advisor and an employability advisor. Students, therefore, have specialist advice on hand for all of the important areas of university life. Academic tutors use ‘The Next Steps Tool’ to direct the academic and professional development of their students and to help them make the most of their time at uni.