Your time at university is an opportunity to achieve your academic goals. To help you make the best choices on how to spend your time with us at the University of Northampton, you can speak to your Personal Academic Tutor (PT). They are allocated to you at the start of the year and are there to help you – from settling into University life to walking across the stage at graduation, and everything in between.
Your Academic PT will be in touch at various points in the academic year to see how you are getting on. But you don’t have to wait for them to contact you. If you want to talk about how to achieve your ambitions, secure a work placement, your academic success or have a confidential talk about something that is important to you, you can arrange to see your PT at any time. Your PT is also in a great position to signpost you to some of our more specialist support services and can help you if you need to understand how our policies and processes work. Your PT will help you use data about your engagement with your academic studies to help you achieve the best from your time with us.
You will be allocated a PT during the first few weeks of term. Until then, your Programme Leader will be your named personal contact.
We think it’s important for you to have a point of contact during your time at the university, so at the start of the year you will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor. They will be on hand to offer you support and guidance from when you enrol through to graduation. Your Personal Academic Tutor will provide you with ongoing academic and personal support throughout your university studies.
Current student Beth Garrett shares her experience with her Personal Academic Tutor during her studies:
“Emma is an exceptional lecturer and personal academic tutor. I have been her tutee for both years of my studies so far and she has provided me with invaluable support. Emma has illustrated concern with my academic, pastoral and social wellbeing and goes above and beyond to ensure that both myself and other students are supported. Teaching across two courses and completing a PhD, Emma has a demanding timetable however can always find time to meet with students.
“Emma has run drop-in sessions for students, has provided excellent guidance for assignments and is always willing to answer students’ questions. She has organised enrichment opportunities as part of our course, such as off-site activities, first aid courses and experience in special schools. These experiences will be invaluable as we move into teaching practice.”
How your Personal Academic Tutor can help you
“Personally, Emma has supported me with my wellbeing, pointing me in the direction of those who can offer additional support and checking in with me to see how I am. Emma has helped me to address my anxiety and consistently encourages me to engage in activities, which I otherwise would not feel confident enough to do.
“Emma encourages me to stay positive and persevere at the times when I have found this most difficult. Without her support, there is a chance that I may not have continued with my studies and I will forever be grateful for her dedication, compassion and encouragement. Emma is a credit to the university and I feel honoured to have her as my personal academic tutor.”