All Warwick undergraduates and postgraduates on taught courses have a Personal Tutor. 

Your Personal Tutor is an accessible, approachable point of contact for your department.  

They can:  

• Support you at different stages of your studies, e.g. from school to university, or from Year 1 to Year 2, or from UG to PG study 
• Suggest ways to get involved in your department and the wider university  
• Explain any learning feedback you receive 
• Offer advice on how to develop your academic performance 
• Signpost to development opportunities and support  
• Supply references to support applications for jobs or further study 

If you have health or other issues that might affect your studies, discuss these with your Personal Tutor. They can ensure you find the right support.

Try to arrange a meeting with your tutor as early in the academic year as possible. It is a good idea to meet every term. 

If your tutor does not contact you, it is fine to request an appointment by email. 

You can see who your Personal Tutor is on Tabula, under the ‘My Student Profile’ tab. 

It's a good idea to be proactive. What you want to discuss? Think about: 

• What are you looking to get out of each stage of your studies? 
• Which skills would you like to develop? What opportunities are there in the university? 

• How is your learning experience developing? Are you having any problems with modules, or your studies in general? 
• Do you have any questions about employability? 
• Are there any other issues affecting your studies, such as accommodation or finances? 

Let your Personal Tutor know about any extra-curricular activities you do. This helps them get to know you a little better. It's also something they can draw on later when writing references for you. 

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It may be helpful to take question notes to your meeting, so you don't forget them.

If you have a more complex issue, your Personal Tutor may refer you to the Department Senior Tutor.  

You may feel more comfortable approaching your Senior Tutor yourself.  

Senior Tutors are usually involved with the mitigating circumstances process and reasonable adjustments.

Find out how to get in touch with your Department Senior TutorLink opens in a new window

If you experience issues that affect your studies, your Personal Tutor is your first port of call. 

Further departmental support is also available from your Senior Tutor or Director of Studies. 

If a resolution is not reached at departmental level, you may contact your Faculty Senior Tutor. They provide confidential advice and support to students on difficulties with their studies. This may include: 

• Academic issues, such as appeals and complaints 
• Serious and unsettled problems with teaching or modules 
• Concerns with supervision, feedback, study skills or marking 

• Temporary withdrawal or changing your course 
• Concerns about mitigating/extenuating/special circumstances procedures or decisions 
• Unresolved breakdowns in the relationship with a Tutor (Personal or Module), Course Leader or Supervisor 
• Termination of registration proceedings 
• Complaints against the University or its academic staff or other students 

• University regulations, guidelines, procedures or policies 
   

If in doubt, you may email the Dean of Students Office. You will then be referred to the right person or support service.  

The Students' Union Advice Centre also offers independent advice in these areas.

Yes, you can – but this is an exception rather than a routine occurrence.  

If you wish to discuss this, or if you have any difficulties with your Personal Tutor, contact your Department Senior Tutor first.

The protection of student confidentiality is important to us. Please read these guidelines carefully and discuss any questions or concerns with any member of staff in the Dean of Students Office. 

The Dean of Students Office keeps brief and factual records of meetings and discussions with students that comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and adhere to the University Data Protection Policy. 

The Act requires a student’s consent for records to be kept, which is sought at the first meeting. This may take the form of a note that a student's verbal agreement was provided. 

Basic information is recorded to enable us to provide robust and professional advice and support to students and is securely stored in electronic and/or paper format. This data is not kept for longer than is necessary and beyond this point is securely destroyed. Please see the University's retention schedule for guidelines on how long certain types of information is kept. 

We will not normally disclose verbal or written information about a student to others (inside or outside of the University) unless we have permission to do so. However, sharing information with other professionals or departments may be useful in providing the best support, for example arranging adjustments to study or referring to other support and advice services. In such a situation, we will seek students’ permission to disclose information. What we disclose and to whom will be agreed in advance. 

Please note that in exceptional circumstances, for example where there is good reason to believe that a student or others are at risk of harm, it may be necessary to disclose information to other professionals, without explicit consent.