Staff to student support

From professional development through academic progress and occasional queries to one-to-one pastoral care, the School has a rich network of staff supporting every student 

Personal tutors

Each of our students is assigned one member of staff as their academic advisor for the duration of their studies. Personal tutors help students’ personal development, signpost them to sources of support and meet their tutees at least twice per year to monitor their progress and discuss any issues they are experiencing. Personal tutors are normally a student’s first port of call for help and advice, and can also be a great source of career advice and references towards the end of the course. 

Learning and teaching support officer (LTSO)

A new role within the School of Veterinary Science, the LTSO offers advice and guidance on pastoral and academic issues, and may offer longer term support where that is needed. They work hand-in-hand with both the year lead and senior tutor team, and are closely integrated with the student experience administration team to provide the level of support required for each individual student they see.  

Departmental disability contact

Students with ongoing health issues may be able to access support for their studies via the Disability Advice and Guidance Team. Needs can change over time, and the Departmental Disability Contact (DDC) monitors and assists students with support plans to ensure their needs and the requirements of the course are met. The DDC also sits on the Student Monitoring Sub-Committee, ensuring students who need additional support are assisted to access it. 

Student experience administrators

Our excellent team of student experience administrators ensures the smooth running of the course, and can help students with queries about timetables, exams, absences and who to turn to if students need help. They also monitor student engagement and ensure any struggling students are highlighted to the Student Monitoring Sub-Committee. 

Senior tutors

A team of five Senior Tutors oversees the pastoral care of students in the School of Veterinary Science. Each senior tutor oversees one year of the course, working closely with the Year Lead to ensure academic and pastoral processes work together to support our students. The senior tutor team trains and monitors the Personal Tutors, and oversees student feedback regarding their wellbeing in order to implement changes.

Year leads

Each year of the course has one Year Lead, a senior member of academic staff who oversees the running of teaching and assessment for that year. The year leads work with the senior tutors support students who are struggling to meet the demands of the course and those who are resitting, to help them address their barriers and achieve their goals.