UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT IN THE SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY

ACADEMIC AND PASTORAL SUPPORT THROUGH THE SCHOOL'S TUTORIAL SYSTEM

All single honours students with 'geography' as a named part of their degree are allocated a personal tutor in their first and second years who is responsible for both academic and pastoral support. Your tutor will help and guide you in taking increasing responsibility for your own personal and academic development.

LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 TUTORIAL MODULES

Level 1 and level 2 'tutorial' modules are designed to combine tutorial time with the teaching of skills essential for studying a degree in Geography. Tutorial groups meet on a regular basis, giving an opportunity to raise issues with your tutor which relate to your work.

The tutor’s role is to:

  • Help students identify the best source of support and advice if they experience any problems.
  • Support students in reviewing and taking responsibility for their own learning.
  • Monitor and advise tutees about their academic progress.

LEVEL 3 DISSERTATION SUPPORT

All single honours level 3 students are required to undertake a dissertation, for which they are allocated a personal mentor (supervisor), who also has a pastoral tutor's role. Students allocated to the same mentor are grouped together in a Dissertation Support Group. These groups, comprising 8-10 students, meet on a regular basis to provide 'peer support'.

PASTORAL SUPPORT

The School has a Student Support Manager who works alongside tutors and mentors and is responsible for pastoral care in the department. She has an 'open door' policy, so students may call by at any time to talk to her about personal issues or general issues relating to their progress. If the issue or problem requires more specialist expertise, she may advise you to make use of the University's specialist referral agencies within the Student Support Network, such as the Counselling Centre, the Union's Student Advice Centre, or the Student Medical Practice.

POSTGRADUATE STUDY ASSISTANT SCHEME

This scheme aims to provide 'remedial' help for geographical issues and problems, by matching students one-to-one with a departmental research student. Referral may be either by a tutor, dissertation mentor, the Student Support Manager or the student him/herself.

PEER MENTORING SCHEME

This is a scheme for first years, whereby new students are partnered with existing level 2 or level 3 students in mentor groups of about six. Students may opt into the scheme before coming to Leeds and may establish contact with their mentors in advance of arriving. To find out more visit Peer Mentoring.