Reference Requests

At the University of Warwick, we believe that there is a positive obligation to respond to a request for a reference where reasonably requested from a student for employment and / or academic purposes. To optimise this, and to ensure the completion of references on time, and that best reflect the duty of care we have to our students, this process needs to be carefully managed.

What is the process?

I do not provide references unless you have informed me well in advance that you require a reference. Out of courtesy and in your own interest, this should be no less than 15 working days (Saturday and Sunday, as well as Bank Holidays do not count as working days) from when I would be expected to receive contact from the reference addressee.

The notification should take the form of an email with

• an attached CV
• an attached copy of your HEAR statement (available through "myWarwick")
• an attached copy of your cover letter for each position sought. In the absence of a cover letter, an outline of

• your motivation for the position
• why you think you are suitable for this position
• what you are bringing to the position
• how this position is going to benefit / influence your future development / career

It is best practice to follow this up with a meeting in my advice and feedback hours. The notification period and the attached documents will allow me to write the most helpful reference possible.

Failure to notify me in good time and with the correct documentation risks seriously undermining the quality of the reference and could result in a missed deadline for the reference submission. Whilst I have a duty of care as an academic to you as a student, a legal duty of care also exists towards the addressee who has sought the reference.

Note for Personal Tutees

I am always happy to support my personal tutees by providing academic references, provided you observe the above guidance. However, please bear in mind that if I have not taught you, my knowledge of your academic work will be limited to the short meetings we have each year.

In many cases, a colleague who has taught you directly—especially in seminars—will be able to write a much richer and more detailed reference than I can. This is important, because the recipient of a reference would usually expect that a student approaches the most suitable person to provide one. If I leave details out because I do not know them, this may lead them to wonder why such information has been omitted.

For this reason, I encourage you to reflect carefully on whether I am the best person to write your reference. Choosing the most appropriate referee will help ensure your strengths are presented in the best possible light.

Please note that under no circumstances do I provide references for personal tutees who have not attended their personal tutee meeting of the current academic term.