Personal Academic Tutoring in the School of Education
The University of Brighton is committed to offering all students regular opportunities to review their academic, personal and professional development as they progress through their course.
Personal Academic Tutoring (PAT) is a key part of this offer. It is designed to complement both course teaching by academic staff and the University’s specialist support services, by providing you with an identified point of contact throughout your degree. The details of how the Policy is implemented varies slightly between Schools, reflecting different course structures. This guide explains how the Personal Academic Tutoring Policy works in the School of Education.
Who is my Personal Academic Tutor?
Each new student is assigned a Personal Academic Tutor during induction and this information will be available on studentview.brighton.ac.uk.
Your PAT tutor is normally a member of your course team. They understand what it is like to study your subject, as well as the challenges of being a student, balancing the various commitments that you are likely to have beyond your studies.
PAT tutors play an important role in your academic and professional development, by providing you with opportunities to review your progress and wellbeing at regular intervals throughout your course. They will also signpost you to additional sources of support should they be needed. A description and diagram showing these is included at the end of this document.
Our FAQs will help you understand PAT better.
When and how will I meet my tutor?
You will have the opportunity to meet your Personal Academic Tutor during the induction process. This will usually be in a small group of your peers. There are then two further points during your first year of study to meet with your Personal Academic Tutor.
The pattern of sessions will depend upon your course structure and which year you are in. Information on when PAT sessions are scheduled can be found in your course documentation/MyStudies areas.
Your PAT tutor will be able to help you plan general actions for each stage of your study including how to respond to feedback from your module tutors and plan your study time effectively. You will be invited to make an appointment with your PAT tutor at least two weeks in advance of scheduled meetings.
Do I have to wait for my scheduled Personal Academic Tutorial to speak to my tutor?
No, you can contact your PAT tutor at any time you feel you need to do so. Your tutor will respond as soon as possible but this is usually within 3 working days (i.e. excluding weekends and after business hours). You also have the option of seeking support from the Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT) – details below see Other Support and Advice.
Will I keep the same PAT tutor throughout my degree?
Personal Academic Tutoring arrangements may change as you progress through your course. However, you can request to change Personal Academic Tutor in certain circumstances. If you wish to change your allocated Personal Academic Tutor, you should make a request to the Course Leader or Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT). You are entitled to have any reasonable request considered and an alternative proposed where possible.
How can I make the best use of my PAT sessions?
To get maximum benefit from the PAT system, it is extremely important that you take responsibility for engaging with these regular opportunities to review and plan your own progress and achievement. Don’t wait until you have a problem but use the scheduled appointments as a chance to reflect on your learning, including successes, obstacles and areas for improvement.
You should have two weeks’ notice of scheduled meetings, so use this to consider in advance any priority areas for discussion so you can come prepared. It is also helpful to keep your own notes of meetings and agreed actions.
Read some standard forms for reflection, planning and recording.
Are PAT meetings compulsory?
Because they are an important aspect of your university studies, attendance at Personal Academic Tutorial sessions will be monitored alongside general module attendance to identify any students who may require additional support or intervention.
However, if you choose not to attend, we would expect you to contact your Personal Academic Tutor well in advance of any meeting via email as a curtsey. Personal Academic Tutors will contact non-attendees.
What if I have personal issues that are affecting my studies?
Your PAT tutor may well be the first person you turn to for advice and support and they will know where to direct you for more specialist guidance (as and where appropriate). Equally, there may be some issues that you’d rather not discuss with your tutor however well you get on with them.
Either way, the most important thing is that you find someone you feel comfortable to talk to. Depending on the circumstances, your tutor may refer you to the SSGT (Student Support and Guidance Tutor) or other university services You can also go directly to the Wellbeing Team or the Brighton Students’ Union, both of whom offer a support service. All contact details at end of this guide.
How confidential are tutorials?
Personal information you disclose to your PAT tutor will not be revealed to others without your express permission and/or in extreme cases where the University deems it in your best interest.
As a general rule, it is your decision as to whether such information is shared. However, confidentiality may be broken in exceptional circumstances: for example, where you are deemed to be a danger to yourself or to others, or if there is a legal duty to do so. This follows the University of Brighton Cause for Concern procedures.
Your may like to discuss with your PAT tutor certain information them that you might like to share with your course leader on your behalf. Alternatively, if you disclose a disability or a health issue to your Personal Academic Tutor they may, with your agreement, inform the Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT) and the Disability Team who will contact you to explore any additional support needs.
