The Personal Tutoring system is part of a vital role in enhancing students’ academic and personal potential. To this day, it still remains as part of a long-standing tradition at most UK universities whereby students can take advantage of a one-to-one session with a nominated tutor.
These sessions are intended as an opportunity where students can request feedback and advice on a range of academic, pastoral as well as career orientated questions. Universities may have different approaches to how this system is implemented, with some mandating a set number of sessions a year, whilst others offer it as and when a student may need them.
The Personal Tutoring ChallengeWith an increasing number of students part-financing their studies with jobs and (in some cases) commuting from the parental home time, spare time is increasingly short. Time pressures may prompt both students and universities to consider whether personal tutoring sessions continue to represent a worthwhile investment of the students’ free-time or whether an alternative should be considered.