Leadership in personal tutoring and advising practices across the higher education sector

Personal tutoring and academic advising are recognised as key elements in supporting and enabling students to succeed during their educational journey; they assist students academically and provide pastoral and professional support (Adams et al., 2023). In the current higher education climate, where there is increased pressure on academic and support staff, personal tutoring is an area that has the potential to be overlooked. However, as noted in Advance HE’s (2024) Framework for Student Access, Retention, Attainment and Progression (Essential Framework for Enhancing Student Success), academic and pastoral support are crucial for securing retention and attainment. The UKAT (United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring Association) RLA’s (Recognised Leaders in Advising) collaborated on a research project that examined the current landscape of personal tutoring and its leadership within the UK. A survey on personal tutoring was distributed throughout the sector to gain insight into the diverse range of institutional models for personal tutoring and academic advising currently in practice. Additionally, it enabled the researchers to understand the reach, value, and impact of personal tutoring and academic advising, as well as how these can be harnessed to ensure quality, depth, and rigour in provision. This is particularly crucial when higher education faces significant resource challenges.
This presentation shares the initial findings of this research, providing insights into
leadership in personal tutoring and advising practices across the sector.