The new Student Support model will begin rolling out from September 2022. Thanks to everyone who got involved and shared their views on what it should include. As a reminder, the aim of the new model is to ensure all taught undergraduate and postgraduate students have access to consistent levels of timely, professional, and empathetic support covering both academic and pastoral matters from within their home School. The result should be a student support ecosystem that helps students navigate, and enjoy, being part of the University.

As things are rapidly moving forward towards implementation now seems a good time to provide an overview of where we are at! The model is being phased in with the ambition that by September 2023 the new student support structure will be embedded in all Schools and Deaneries across the University. Phase 1 is to be implemented by September 2022. All CSE Schools, as well as EPCC and DSTI, are involved in phase 1. For phase 1 we expect to have the following:

Wellbeing Advisers managed by the Director of Student Wellbeing and working in School student support teams supporting undergraduate, postgraduate taught and also research students.
Investment to enhance student support teams in Schools.
Transitioned some existing staff, and appointed new staff, to the new Student Adviser roles.
A named Student Adviser for all 1st year and post-graduate taught students.
Introduction of Academic Cohort Leads for undergraduate students.
Programme Directors for all postgraduate taught students.

Phase 2 is to be implemented by September 2023 by which time the student support ecosystem will be fully established and rolled out for all taught students.

What changes should I be expecting?

Professional Services

Additional professional services staff will be recruited to the University to provide enhanced Student Adviser capacity. Existing student support staff are a vital part of the new model continuing to support current students or transitioning to the new Student Adviser role for September 2022. Adverts for Student Adviser and Wellbeing Advisers are live from March 2022. The aim is to expand student support services in Schools. It is expected that current staff will transition to the new model of student support by September 2023 following a formal consultation process. Training will be provided to ensure all staff understand the new model of student support. The student support service will run in parallel with the Teaching Organisation. Schools and Colleges are currently confirming the proposed structures. There will be clear escalation routes to, and support from, wider University Services and opportunities for continuous professional development. Wellbeing Advisers will offer extra support to School Student Support services and provide a much needed conduit to the University’s Wellbeing Services (e.g. Student Counselling Service, Student Disability Service).

Academic Staff

Many academic staff will still be Personal Tutors for continuing students during phase 1. By September 2023 the PT role will no longer exist, with all students moving into the new support model. One of the aims of this is to release academic time currently dedicated to pastoral and transactional matters, to allow academic staff to focus on academic support, with enhanced professional services student support teams providing other forms of support.

With the new student support ecosystem comes the introduction of the Cohort Lead role. Staff taking on these roles will lead on induction, transitions, and community-building activities, with the intention of building and maintaining a sense of belonging with a cohort of students within a larger community of learners. These activities will largely be group-centred and may be part of the curriculum. The Cohort Lead will also be involved in developing and delivering extra-curricular activities focused on students’ personal and academic development. Cohort Leads will have oversight of the whole student experience in relation to their cohort, working with course and degree programme organisers, student support and teaching administration staff, to provide direction and support. For PGT students this cohort leadership may be provided by the Programme Director.

It is also expected that Cohort Leads will be involved in teaching students belonging to their cohort, and therefore be able to provide course-specific academic support. Indeed, all teaching staff are part of the overall support ecosystem in providing academic advice and support through their interactions with students.

The duties currently carried out by the Senior Personal Tutor will largely remain, as a means of ensuring academic oversight of student guidance and support in the School. Discussions on changing the title of this role to reflect the new model are currently underway.

Taken together, the expectation is that academic staff will be able to focus on providing high-quality, consistent academic support tailored to the needs of students.

Students

In Science and Engineering, for the 2022/23 academic year, all continuing students will remain with their current Personal Tutors, supported by their School Student Support Teams.

All new taught students will be assigned to a named Student Adviser, who will be part of the School’s enhanced Student Support Team. The Student Advisers will contact their student in advance of the new academic year and will keep in touch with them at regular points through each academic year. Student will be able to contact their Student Adviser throughout the year regarding any concerns they have. Students will have access to the School Wellbeing Adviser as part of the School Student support system and can also contact the Wellbeing Services directly.

From an academic perspective, students will be supported by Cohort Leads. Cohort Leads are academics who will hold group meetings with their cohorts to build up communities through the organisation of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, support students with their course choices and encourage them to reflect on their progress and academic journey. Cohort Leads will work closely with the Student Advisers to coordinate appropriate support for students. From September 2023 students will no longer have a Personal Tutor.

Peer assisted learning and support (PALS) schemes will be extended and embedded as part of the student’s wider support network with opportunities for student leaders to be paid for their contributions.

The model provides both challenges and opportunities in reshaping how we support our students. CSE School engagement to date is commendable and we look forward to helping Schools embed the new system, ultimately providing a more consistent positive experience for all involved.

Diagram of the new Student Support Model

Diagram showing the new Student Support Model

Student Support Model Sharepoint

Information on the new roles and links to the vacancies

Linda Kirstein (Dean of Education Quality Assurance and Culture)
Stephen Warrington (Dean of Student Experience)
Chris Mowat (Senior Lecturer, School of Chemistry)