DMU Academic Tutor Policy

All DMU undergraduate and postgraduate students will have a designated Academic Tutor throughout their programme. From the moment they join the University, students are encouraged to build a relationship with their Academic Tutor who, along with specialist services, as appropriate (e.g. The Student Gateway, Library and Learning Services, Student Advice Centres) will support and guide students in their journey to fulfil their academic potential and to achieve their academic and personal development goals.

DMU Academic Tutor duties

1. Complete the DMU Empowering Academic Tutors short course either prior to taking up tutoring responsibility or in the first block in which they are tutoring.

2. Complete the Enhancing Academic Tutoring update short course every three years.

3. Organise a minimum of two Academic Tutorials with their tutees (individual or group; online or in person), typically in Block 1 and Block 3 of each academic year.

4. Ensure that for Year 1 students, this timetabled session, or a less formal initial meeting, takes place during induction week or as soon as possible thereafter.

5. Ensure that for continuing students, the Block 1 timetabled session takes place in the first three weeks of the block.

6. Monitor tutees’ attendance and engagement with tutorials and, supported where appropriate by their Associate Head of School (Education), reporting this attendance and engagement data at two census points in each academic year.

7. Plan the content of the timetabled academic tutorials in advance, making use of the DMU Education Academy’s Academic Tutoring: Topics, Prompts and Suggestions Guide, adapting this as appropriate to cohort-specific and programme-specific needs.

8. Be familiar with the University’s range of specialist services offered through the DMU Student Hub and refer tutees consistently and, as appropriate, to another individual or service for specialist support or guidance.

9. Advise the Programme Leader of any programme-related issues highlighted in tutorials, having regard for confidentiality in relation to individual tutees.

10. Be aware of the Healthy DMU Staff Toolkit and guidance on professional boundaries to support their resilience and professionalism

View the full DMU Academic Tutor Policy.