Your Academic Tutor
The Academic Tutoring system is part of the University’s commitment to ensuring that all taught students have the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential. Your Academic Tutor is a member of academic staff in the Department that is a central point of contact for you throughout your studies.
Please note that you may hear other students use the phrase 'Personal Tutor'. This year the Academic Tutoring system has replaced the previous Personal Tutor system for selected departments at the University. Please be assured that the role still involves a personalised, supportive approach to tutoring.
Ensure that you know who your Academic Tutor is, how to contact them and how they can help support you with your studies and student life in the Department.
How will my Academic Tutor support me?
During your academic studies your Academic Tutor will:
Stay in regular contact
Your Tutor will schedule a minimum of two meetings with you per academic year, one in each semester (with an additional meeting as an induction if you are a new student).
Induction meetings should be face to face; throughout the rest of the year, meetings may take place remotely or in person and you may also be invited to group tutorial meetings.
They will act as a consistent point of contact for you in the Department.
Tutors are contactable via email and during bookable office hours.
Provide academic guidance
With your Tutor, you can discuss your academic progress and development, including: attendance, exams, assignments, understanding feedback, referencing, time management, independent study, and reflection on your overall experience and employability.
Your Tutor may suggest actions you may take to help develop your skills and employability.
Your Tutor can help you make the most of any development opportunities on offer.
Your Tutor can help prepare and support you with key transition points in your learning .
Signpost to Department and University support services
Your Tutor may facilitate conversations around your wellbeing by asking how you are finding student life. As a result, they will signpost you to other University services as appropriate.
They can also speak with you about who to contact about any additional support and / or adjustments to existing support mechanisms and Learning Support Plans (LSPs).
Academic Tutor FAQs
When am I allocated an Academic Tutor?
All students are allocated an Academic Tutor at the start of their studies. New students (Level 1 UG, PGT and MA Social Work) receive confirmation of their Academic Tutor by email the first couple of weeks. Returning students will also receive a reminder of their Academic Tutor in this time.
How do I contact my Academic Tutor?
Each semester your Academic Tutor will invite you by email to a welcome meeting. Your Tutor will also contact you during the semester as a reminder of their role and how to contact them if you need any support.
You can also contact your Academic Tutor by email and / or book a 1:1 meeting via office hours at any time during the academic year.
I am a dual student, why do I get two Academic Tutors?
If you are a dual honours student, your Academic Tutor will be from your home department but you may also have an academic contact in your second department too.
Why has my Academic Tutor changed?
Where possible your Academic Tutor will remain the same throughout your studies. However if a member of staff leaves the Department or goes on study leave, you will be re-allocated to another Academic Tutor and informed by email.
I have forgotten who my Academic Tutor is, how can I found out?
The name of your Academic Tutor is located on your student record:
Log into MUSE
Select ‘My Record’
Select ‘Check and Amend Your Student Details’
Select ‘Course Information’
See the name of your Academic Tutor
I have some questions about my Academic Tutor support, who should I contact?
Please email sociological.studies@sheffield.ac.uk.
What are my responsibilities as a student?
Once you have been told who your Academic Tutor is / once your Tutor has contacted you, it is your responsibility to arrange a meeting with them at a time which you can both attend.
Tell your Tutor in advance if you cannot attend a meeting and ask to arrange an alternative time.
During your meeting, raise any concerns which you feel are affecting your studies, areas of work you're proud of, or areas you'd like to develop with your Tutor.
To prepare for your meeting, it may be useful to reflect on your performance and progress, reflect on areas of work that you are proud of, and consider any questions you may wish to raise.
Below are some suggested areas for discussion with your Tutor that you may want to consider to help you benefit from the Academic Tutor partnership.
Academic Studies
How can I prepare for the next level of academic study?
What are useful tips for developing and improving my academic study skills?
How can I access help with reading lists and how do I complete set reading?
What are tips for managing my time and balancing my studies with other activities?
How can I best prepare for my university assessments?
How can I better understand my assessment feedback and results?
Support and Development
I am finding things challenging, how can I access help?
Who should I contact about support for my health and wellbeing?
How can I access development and employability opportunities?
What further study opportunities are available to me?
How can I prepare for life after graduation?
How can I request an Academic Tutor to be a referee?