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School Support

The School supports all our undergraduate students through various staff roles and student schemes.

Peer mentors

In Stage 1 you will have a Peer Mentor who is a student volunteer from Stage 2 or 3. They will be able to give you guidance and support on various aspects of university life, for example:

  • introducing you to the library
  • advising on time management or revision techniques
  • talking about budgeting or how to register with a GP
  • giving you information about what to do in the city
  • showcasing opportunities within the School and the wider university
  • offering friendly advice about settling into university

Interested in being a Peer Mentor yourself? Find out more here.

Students

Personal tutors

Each student has a personal tutor, who is a member of academic staff and who is responsible for looking after the student's interests throughout his or her time at the University.

Your personal tutor is available to discuss academic matters such as module choices or your overall progress. They will also be able to recommend whether you need to see the senior tutor.

You should also inform your personal tutor about any difficulties you are experiencing which are affecting your academic work.

Personal tutors are not trained counsellors, but they will do their best to suggest where you might seek any help you need.

Senior tutors

The senior tutor acts as a second point of contact for you in the event of your allocated personal tutor's absence. They can also be contacted with queries about the personal tutor system or in the event of complicated issues.

The senior tutor has overall responsibility for pastoral care in the School, and for the management of extensions and other adjustments through personal extenuating circumstances.

The current stage 1 Undergraduate Senior Tutor is Dr Jon Quayle. The Stages 2 and 3 Senior Tutor is Dr Ros Haslett.

Degree Programme Director (DPD)

The DPD has overall responsibility for the structure, content and standards of the degree programmes within the School. You will need to speak to the DPD for course transfers, withdrawals and suspensions of study.

The DPD for English Literature Programmes is Dr James Harriman-Smith

The DPD for Creative Writing Programmes is Professor Alex Pheby. 

The DPD for Language and Linguistics programmes (including Q300) is Dr Dan Duncan.

Academic members of staff

You are welcome to speak to any member of staff. If you would prefer not to make an appointment please visit their office during their consultation and feedback hours.

Student Wellbeing Adviser

We are very lucky to have a dedicated Student Wellbeing Adviser in the School. Kirsty helps our students in many ways:

  • Signposting students to central health and wellbeing services 
  • Offering confidential advice and support
  • Being a friendly face to all students and staff
  • Organsing wellbeing workshops and events

You can get in touch with Kirsty here. You can find out more about Student Wellbeing Advisers here.