ACADEMIC ADVISER
ROLE PROFILE
Academic advising consists of:
a)Providing information and guidance on academic matters, including changing degree programmes;
b)Assisting students with the planning of short-term and long-term targets for development;
c)Monitoring academic performance and student engagement and advising on constructive strategies for improvement;
d)Participating in the implementation of the School’s work and attendance procedures;
e)Liaising with peer mentors and undergraduate support staff to identify ‘at risk’ students;
f)Helping students to identify the skills being acquired and to recognise progress towards fulfilment of the Purposes of a Manchester Education;
g)Encouraging students to reflect on their academic development through the use of a personal development plan, including raising student awareness of plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice;
h)Working with students to build personal academic relationships;
i)Making initial arrangements for the first group meeting and thereafter maintaining regular contact with students using an appropriate combination of face-to-face meetings, e-mail, Blackboard etc., in order to address one or more of the above;
j)Ensuring insofar as is possible that any student facing academic and/or personal difficulties does not lose contact with academic tutors or become isolated from student support staff or the facilities listed below.
Academic advising does not consist of:
a)Providing detailed advice about individual course units. Such queries should always be directed to the course unit convenor or class tutors;
b)Providing pastoral, medical or welfare support. Academic Advisers should be aware of boundaries. It is not appropriate to get involved with students on matters not directly related to their studies. Advisers should provide a listening ear and be prepared to supply contact details for the University’s professional support services where necessary;
c)Providing extensions to coursework deadlines. Instead, students should be referred to the mitigating circumstances procedures available on the undergraduate intranet (
Programme Directors in each discipline area will act as Senior Academic Advisers, to whom all queries about programme transfers should be directed. They will also act as the point of contact for students who wish to change their Academic Adviser.
Useful Contact Details and Support Services:
The Student Services Centre
The SSC is a single point of contact for most of the administrative tasks that need to be carried out by students, including registration/fees, and documentation. The SSC is open Monday to Friday, 9.00-18.00 on 0161 275 5000 or students can visit the Centre on Burlington Street, near the library. Students can also visit the online services of the SSC by clicking the 'SSC Portal' link to the left of the Student Services Centre web page (although these pages are under review) and the Crucial Guide live
Central Academic Advisory Service
Student Advice and Information Hub, First Floor, University Place, Oxford Road
Telephone (0161) 275 3033
Web:
The University of Manchester Central Academic Advisory Service is a service of information and advice open to all University of Manchester students, who can use the service at any time. The advisers have extensive experience of dealing with student problems and offer confidential advice on any matters relating to students' academic work.
Counselling Service
Crawford House, Precinct Centre
Telephone (0161) 275 2864
Web:
The Counselling Service for the University offers confidential, individual counselling to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and a consultative and advisory service to staff. The seven members of the team have qualifications in counselling and psychotherapy and provide a range of therapeutic responses to all kinds of personal problems.
Student Health Service
Note that you must register to use this service.
Waterloo Place, Oxford Road, near the University Precinct Centre
Telephone (0161) 275 2858
For primary health care, students need to register with an NHS general practitioner, and should locate one near their term-time residence. The Student Health Service for the University provides an accessible occupational health service for all students. A doctor and nursing staff offer advice and support on any health problem affecting studies. The service accepts referrals from academic disciplines and from other welfare services. A wide range of health promotion, vaccination, and contraceptive services are also offered.
Office of Student Support and Services webpage:
Disability Support Office
Block 2, 2nd Floor, University Place, Oxford Road
Telephone (0161) 275 7512/8518
Web:
The Disability Support Office exists to help all students who have a disability of any kind, including mental health problems. It will provide students with practical support and guidance, assist them in making use of technological aids and, with their consent, inform disciplines where special provisions need to be made for them.
Careers Service
Crawford House, Precinct Centre, Booth Street East
Telephone (0161) 275 2828
Web:
The University Careers Service is open between 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. The careers adviser who deals with students studying modern languages, Linguistics and/or English Language is Ms Chris Hughes ().
1