What Happens in a Personal Tutorial

Initial tutorial

• Do students understand how the tutorial system works and how to access it?
• Have they received a course handbook?
• Do students understand the structure of the course?
• Do students understand the University email system and how Blackboard works?
• Does course so far meet expectations / perceptions?
• Are there any student accommodation issues ?
• Have students registered with a doctor?
• Do they have any medical condition that we ought to be aware of ?
• Do they have/intend to get a part time job while a student ?
• Are students sorted over fees/loans etc – are there any outstanding issues ?
• Do students need any learning support ? It is particularly important for disabled student to be encouraged to disclose support needs at an early stage and for support arrangements to be documented and put in place.
• Have they had Information Services induction ?
• Do students need any help from Student Services and do they know how to access it ?
• Have they joined the Students Union? Do they know about course reps ?
• Are students applying to HE this year through UCAS ?
• Is there anything else they need to get started on e.g. work placement ?

Additional questions for disabled students, for example:

• Reasonable adjustment and accommodated assessment issues.

Additional questions for International students, for example:

• How are students managing settling in to new culture, new ways of learning and teaching?
• How are they finding written/spoken English demands so far?
• Are students aware of language support ? – have they been allocated to an English class

• Progression: issues about attendance and assessment feedback (see below),
• Does course so far meet expectations / perceptions ?
• Are students enjoying / managing the course – do they have subject specific issues ?
• Awareness of recommended referencing system / plagiarism policy ?
• Have they chosen their electives and are there any issues ?
• Is time management OK ?
• Has student made friends in college ?
• Are there any changes they need to let you know about e.g. address ?
• If they are having study support of any kind, how is it going ?
• If they are doing part time work, how is it working out with studying ?
• Follow up on any issues from the first tutorial.
• For Yr 2/3 students and students on one year courses – are they being proactive about their progression within HE or to employment ?
• For Yr 3 students is progression to PG Dip/MA offer or M.Phil registration being considered ?
• Clarification on grades- assessment feedback issues and/or assignment briefs.

Additional questions

In the case of a student being referred for a tutorial on referencing and how to avoid academic misconduct the tutorial should cover:

• The importance of acknowledging the source of ideas, images and text
• How to use the Harvard system to reference sources
• Whether the student still has any areas of uncertainty or confusion

Additional questions for disabled students, for example:

• Disability needs assessment and related learner support provision,

Additional questions for International students, for example:

• Are students getting language support if they need it ?
• How are their English classes going ?
• General cultural adaptation support questions.

Additional questions for final year students, for example:

• Are students clear about final project / dissertation brief and deadlines ?
• Are students clear about requirements for final shows ?

Notes for Tutorial Co-ordinators

Tutorial co-ordinators may wish to consider the following checklist in offering support to personal tutors:

• Development of a Personal Tutor Handbook, (to include references to UAL support services)
• Mentoring by more experienced personal tutors
• Peer observation of tutorials, (with students consent)
• Liaison with College L&T Co-ordinator
• Ongoing staff development
• Annual evaluation of the tutorial provision