Your Academic Advisor

Academic Advisors are members of academic staff associated with your degree programme and/or School, who are here to support you throughout your time at university.

What does an Academic Advisor do?

All new students are invited to attend a meeting with their Academic Advisor as part of Welcome and Induction activity. Following that, your Advisor will make contact with you at least twice a semester during each year of study, so look out for their emails and respond to any invitations to meet, or to share with them how you’re getting on.
Through a combination of scheduled meetings and ad hoc communications your Advisor will get to know you, in order to help you to make the most of your academic potential and your time at university.
Manchester is a big place – your Advisor is a point of contact for you. They can signpost you to resources and opportunities you may not otherwise have been aware of.

What can I talk to my advisor about?

Your Advisor is there to support you with your:

Academic progress: you can chat about your mark profile, how to act on any feedback, and your overall engagement with your degree programme.
Future plans: developing your readiness for work or further study, thinking about your ambitions and how you can take a step towards them, discussing placement, volunteering or similar opportunities, requesting a reference etc. They will guide you in reflecting on your progress and your ambitions, support you in meeting challenges, encourage you to develop yourself and your skills, and help you to articulate your achievements.
Wellbeing: what are your hobbies or interests beyond studying? Getting out and having fun is also important! Your Advisor will take an interest in your general wellbeing, and help you to get the most out of the opportunities available to you while you’re a student here. They can help you establish a good work-life balance. Do let them know if you’re struggling.

What am I expected to do?

Attend - and ideally prepare for - all arranged meetings with your Advisor and respond as promptly as you can to any communication from them.
Make use of the support, resources and guidance that the University has on offer to support you, whether that be academic support, general life and wellbeing issues, joining a society or volunteering, or thinking about your future career or further study.
Take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties (academic or personal) at the earliest possible opportunity – the easiest way is probably to simply send them an email.
Report promptly to your School or Advisor when you are ill or have other good reason for non-attendance or missing coursework or assessment deadlines.
Keep a note of any agreed actions.

The Advising Model

The Advising Model illustrates how discussions with your Advisor should follow a cycle: prioritising what your current goals or needs are; agreeing some steps you can take to achieve these; reflecting on how things went, and what to do next!

‌How do I find out who my advisor is?

If you’re not sure who your Advisor is, each academic school will have a support office or equivalent who can tell you who they are and how to make contact.

Find out more...

...in our academic advising flyer.