FACULTY OF LAWS
PERSONAL TUTORING PROTOCOL
2014/15
The responsibilities for personal tutors are presented separately for first year students and for
second, third and fourth year students.
TUTORS TO FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
It is crucial that effective relationships be built in the first year. This requires some proactive
effort on the part of staff and is most easily accomplished by means of timely structured
opportunities for focused contact between tutors and their tutees.
First day of term 1
Personal Tutors should attend the informal ‘Meet your Personal
Tutor’ sessions held during Induction Day for new students.
First week
of term 1
Personal Tutors should conduct a 1x 2-hour introductory tutorial
forming part of the Introduction to Law and Legal Method
Induction course (please refer to relevant materials circulated). A
short time should be spent at the beginning of that tutorial
explaining the role of the personal tutor, setting expectations
regarding personal tutoring and informing tutees of the tutor’s
weekly student contact hours.
End of term1
Personal Tutors should see each of their tutees individually to
discuss how they have settled into London, UCL and their
studies. Issues of non-attendance, non-submission of written
work and poor academic performance should be discussed.
Middle of term 2
Personal Tutors should see each of their tutees individually to
discuss performance in the Mid-Sessional Exams, review
academic progress, address any difficulties and advise students
on preparation for the summer exams.
End of term 2 or
first week of term 3
Personal Tutors should see each of their tutees individually to
check revision progress and to identify any problems or
extenuating circumstances that need to be reported to the
Faculty Tutor in advance of the examinations in May.
Post Exam Board week
Personal Tutors should be available during the week following
the June and September Board of Examiners meetings for
individual interviews with tutees to discuss and advise on issues
concerning their examination results.
TUTORS TO SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS
First week of term 1
Personal Tutors should see their tutees either as a group to
welcome them back to the new academic year or, if needed or
requested, individually to discuss examination marks or other
issues regarding academic performance. They should make
tutees aware of the support offered by the in-house Law Careers
Consultant and encourage them to meet with him if they have
not done so already to discuss career plans.
Beginning
of term 2
Personal Tutors should see each of their tutees individually to
discuss general progress. Issues of non-attendance, nonsubmission of written work and poor academic performance
should be discussed. Personal Tutors should discuss and offer
advice on optional module choices. A general discussion about
career plans should be had, though students should be referred
to the Law Careers Consultant for specific advice.
End of term 2 or
first week of term 3
Personal Tutors should see each of their tutees individually to
check revision plans and to identify any problems or extenuating
circumstances that need to be reported to the Faculty Tutor in
advance of the examinations in May.
Post Exam Board week
Personal Tutors should be available during the week following
the June and September Board of Examiners meetings for
individual interviews with tutees to discuss and advise on issues
concerning their examination results
Please note that the above engagement points between Personal Tutors and continuing
students apply even when tutees are completing a study abroad year as part of a Law with
French/German/Hispanic degree; Law with Another Legal System degree (Australia/Hong
Kong/Singapore); or double-degree programme (English & German Law/LLB-JD).
Throughout the study abroad year, Personal Tutors should make contact with their tutees at
each of the above points via email in the first instance, followed up with a telephone
conversation if necessary.