"Engaging with my Personal Academic Tutor was one of the most valuable decisions I made at university and played a significant role in my journey towards achieving a first-class degree in Biomedical Science."
Chiamaka Ogbuefi, VP Education (Biomedical Science student)
Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) is an important part of your university experience. They are there to support your academic progress, personal development and future goals.
What is a Personal Academic Tutor?
BCU's Personal Academic Tutoring approach is designed around three key areas:
- Academic success – supporting your academic progress and development
- Belonging and personal support – helping you feel part of the university community and connecting you to support
- Career development – supporting your goals, career planning and preparation for life after uni
How often should I meet my tutor?
BCU’s PAT Policy recommends formal meetings of at least 20 minutes, and expects tutors to meet at least twice per semester and communicate with students regularly, with appropriate signposting when support is needed.
What if I don't know who my tutor is?
Every student should have been allocated a PAT. If you do not know your tutor, or you have not been given information about your PAT arrangements, contact your Course Leader or course team.
What can I talk to my tutor about?
Conversations can cover a range of topics, including:
- Your goals and what you want to achieve during your time at BCU
- Your academic progress, successes or concerns
- Challenges that may be affecting your ability to engage with or complete your course
- Your general study and development needs
- Your future goals and employability
PATs are not necessarily experts in your subject or individual modules. For subject-specific questions, assignment guidance or feedback, you should speak to your module or subject tutors.
What is expected from you?
Personal Academic Tutoring works best as a two-way relationship. As a student, you should:
- Attend your PAT meetings
- Let your PAT know if you cannot attend and rearrange the meeting where necessary
- Prepare for meetings and think about what you would like to discuss
- Keep track of actions agreed during your meetings
Make the most of your tutor
You don't have to wait until something goes wrong to speak to your Personal Academic Tutor. Whether you want to discuss your progress, set goals, talk through challenges or think about your future, your PAT can be a starting point for getting the right support.
Your PAT relationship works both ways. Communicate, attend your meetings and make the most of the support available to you.
Read PAT Student Guide For more academic support
PAT success stories
Let's hear what students have to say about the relationship with their Tutor:
Chiamaka Ogbuefi, VP Education (Biomedical Science student)
"Engaging with my Personal Academic Tutor was one of the most valuable decisions I made at university and played a significant role in my journey towards achieving a first-class degree in Biomedical Science.
"From my first days at BCU, he helped me understand my course, explore career opportunities and navigate difficult decisions, from choosing between a master’s and a PhD to pursuing my ambition of becoming Vice President Education. One piece of advice I will never forget is that whatever position I took early in my career should have a meaningful impact on my future. Those words continue to guide my decisions today.
"Looking back, his support shaped not only my academic journey but also the person I became. My advice to students is simple: make use of your PAT. You never know how much their guidance could shape your future."
Dominika, Psychology student:
"My Personal Tutor has supported me with finding academic resources, wellbeing guidance, and getting my support summary sorted. She has been consistently helpful with every issue I’ve brought to her. She is highly engaged and responsive, always replying to my emails, including throughout the summer. She has been a lovely point of contact and a real help in settling into university during my first year."
Elise, Jewellery student
"My personal tutor is very well educated and knowledgeable in the field I am studying in which means she can lend me a hand in CV writing and application and introducing me to opportunities I wouldn't have known otherwise if I didn't get the chance to talk to her in a more personal meeting. She is very personable which is helpful in feeling comfortable enough to tell her about my personal issues which she then guides me in the right support direction or to just give me an ear to listen to my troubles. She is great and I often recommend students in my class to talk to her if she is their personal tutor."
Biyona, Nursing student:
"I have found my personal tutor to be highly reliable throughout our time working together. She is a lecturer at my campus and is aware of the common problem I may face with my course. She has been supportive and puts the effort into contacting me at times. As an international student, she helped me with settling in with the University and was even happy to be one of my references for a volunteering opportunity I wanted to get into. In our meetings together, she made sure that she listened and made herself approachable."
Oluchi, Biomedical Science student
"I would like to recognise my Personal Tutor, Andy Powell, for his continuous support and encouragement throughout my time at university. Whenever I need his help, he is always available, approachable and willing to guide me. He has supported me with opportunities such as my internship, helping with references, explaining the steps I needed to take and encouraging me throughout the process. His guidance has helped me feel more confident navigating university and taking opportunities that contribute to my personal and academic development."
Give feedback on your PAT experience...
Our survey should take 2-3 minutes to submit and will be used to feedback to the University on how to improve Personal Academic Tutoring
Complete the PAT Experience survey