ACADEMIC ADVISER SCHEME
AND
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FOR STUDENTS OF LANGUAGES, LINGUISTICS
AND CULTURES: YEAR 1
2009-2010 (student copy)
Dear Student,
Welcome to the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures at the University of
Manchester! This document contains information about student support within the School. It
also contains information about your Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Your Academic Adviser is there to help you understand what the University expects of you
and to offer advice on academic and other matters. Do turn to your Academic Adviser if you
have any problems affecting your studies. Your Academic Adviser will put you in touch with
other people in the university who can help you, if the problem is not one that s/he can deal
with directly. In addition, your Academic Adviser supports you in your development as a
university student and will usually be the person to write references for you when you apply
for further training or a job.
As you can tell from the schedule below, you will be in regular contact with your Academic
Adviser throughout the year, either in group or individual meetings, or by e-mail. If you find
that there is something you want to talk to your Adviser about in the meantime, drop in during
their office hours, which are posted on their door, on the School undergraduate intranet and
are available from the School Reception. Alternatively, you can e-mail or phone to make an
appointment. To avoid falling behind and jeopardising your university career, make sure that
you document any difficulties affecting your studies as soon as possible.
Your Personal Development Plan is a collection of documents which record your progress
through university. It offers you the opportunity to reflect upon your own learning,
performance and achievement and to plan for your own personal, educational and career
development.
Various types of PDP are now in widespread use and have been shown to offer students
significant benefits. Your PDP should enable you to:
 Gain an overview of your studies
 Reflect on your studies and personal development
 Become an independent learner
 Make the most of your learning
 Develop an increased awareness of your skills
The PDP will also make it easier for you to prepare your CV and write job applications as you
come towards the end of your time at university. Employers are increasingly looking for
evidence of the skills that you will be acquiring.
All documents relating to the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures PDP system are
on the School website. To access it, go to your Internet Browser and type in
http://www.llc.manchester.ac.uk/intranet/ug/pdp/. The PDP schedule consists of:
 Skills audits, covering topics such as time-management, IT and computer skills,
handling information, essay writing, etc.
 Action plans, helping you to improve these skills

Reflection and review, in which you record your experiences, and your development of
academic and transferable skills.
The PDP is not compulsory, and no credits are attached to it, but you are strongly encouraged
to participate in it. The PDP belongs to you and is for your personal benefit. You can choose
whether you wish to make your documents available to your Academic Adviser, who will
support you in your work on your PDP. In particular, it is strongly recommended that you
submit to your Academic Adviser your completed Reflection and Review documents,
which will form the basis of discussion in the Academic Adviser meetings towards the end of
each Semester.
You should find the PDP system quite easy to use, although it will require an effort of honest
self-analysis to complete the skills audits, action plans and reviews. Each PDP document is
designed to be completed at a certain time during the academic year.
Schedule of Academic Adviser meetings
The meetings listed below will normally be group meetings, although some Advisers may
prefer to schedule individual meetings.
Semester 1
Week 0
(Freshers’
Week)
Thursday,
2pm
Week 5
Week 10 or 11
Semester 2
Week 9 or 10
You will meet your Academic Adviser and some of your fellow
students to chat informally about your experiences and expectations
of the University so far and to receive a lot of practical information.
An opportunity to discuss your progress so far and any problems
arising from your first months at university.
An opportunity to discuss questions arising from your Semester 1
PDP ‘Reflection and Review’ and to share experiences with fellow
students.
An opportunity to discuss your forthcoming exams and course work
deadlines. You may also want to discuss the Semester 2 ‘Reflection
and Review’ and share experiences with fellow students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my Academic Adviser’s role?
To provide information and guidance on academic matters, including changing degree
programmes;
To assist you with the planning of short-term and long-term targets for development;
To encourage you to reflect on your academic development through the use of a Personal
Development Plan, including raising your awareness of plagiarism, collusion and other forms
of academic malpractice;
To write academic references where required and provide advice on compiling your CV.
What is NOT my Academic Adviser’s role?
To provide detailed advice about individual course units: such queries should always be
directed to the course unit convenor or class tutors;
To provide medical or welfare support: Academic Advisers will provide a listening ear and
will supply contact details for professional support services where necessary;
To provide extensions to coursework deadlines: if you think you are in danger of missing a
deadline, please refer to the mitigating circumstances procedures available on the
undergraduate intranet (http://www.llc.manchester.ac.uk/intranet/ug/mitcircs/).
Will I keep the same Academic Adviser throughout my studies?
You will normally keep the same Academic Adviser throughout your studies but if they are on
study leave at any point during your time at Manchester then they will hand over temporary
responsibility to a colleague.
Can I change my Academic Adviser?
It is important that you feel comfortable and confident in your dealings with your Academic
Adviser and there may be circumstances in which it is appropriate to request a change. There
is a Senior Academic Adviser in each subject area (also known as the Programme Director)
and if such circumstances arise, you should discuss the matter with them.
When will I meet my Academic Adviser?
See Schedule of Academic Adviser meetings above. Staff are responsible for making initial
arrangements for academic advising meetings but you are free to arrange further meetings as
required.
How do I arrange additional meetings with my Academic Adviser?
Your Academic Adviser is available to meet with you as reasonably requested. You can either
drop in during their office hours or you can e-mail your Academic Adviser to arrange an
appointment. Please note that although they will try to respond to your e-mail as soon as they
are able, academics are very busy and you should not expect an immediate reply.
How do I find out the name of my Academic Adviser or their room number?
A list of all Academic Advisers will be put on the notice board opposite the lifts on the South
Wing, Third Floor. The lists will also be available from School Reception and on the
undergraduate intranet (www.llc.manchester.ac.uk/intranet/ug). Furthermore, you will be able
to see the name of your Academic Adviser when you log on to the Peoplesoft/Campus
Solutions student record system via the Student Portal (www.manchester.ac.uk/portal).
Where else can I go for advice?
The Student Services Centre
The SSC is a single point of contact for most of the administrative tasks that need to be carried
out by students, including registration/fees, and documentation. The SSC is open Monday to
Friday, 9.00-18.00 on 0161 275 5000 or students can visit the Centre on Burlington Street,
near the library. Students can also visit the online services of the SSC by clicking the 'SSC
Portal' link to the left of the Student Services Centre web page
http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/ssc/ (although these pages are under review) and the
Crucial Guide live http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/crucial-guide/.
Central Academic Advisory Service
Student Advice and Information Hub, First Floor, University Place, Oxford Road
Telephone (0161) 275 3033
Web: http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/academicadvisoryservice/
The University of Manchester Central Academic Advisory Service is a service of information
and advice open to all University of Manchester students, who can use the service at any time.
The advisers have extensive experience of dealing with student problems and offer
confidential advice on any matters relating to students' academic work.
Counselling Service
Crawford House, Precinct Centre
Telephone (0161) 275 2864
Web: http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/counselling/
The Counselling Service for the University offers confidential, individual counselling to both
undergraduate and postgraduate students, and a consultative and advisory service to staff. The
seven members of the team have qualifications in counselling and psychotherapy and provide
a range of therapeutic responses to all kinds of personal problems.
Student Health Service
Note that you must register to use this service.
Waterloo Place, Oxford Road, near the University Precinct Centre
Telephone (0161) 275 2858
For primary health care, students need to register with an NHS general practitioner, and should
locate one near their term-time residence. The Student Health Service for the University
provides an accessible occupational health service for all students. A doctor and nursing staff
offer advice and support on any health problem affecting studies. The service accepts referrals
from academic disciplines and from other welfare services. A wide range of health promotion,
vaccination, and contraceptive services are also offered.
Office of Student Support and Services webpage:
http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/studentexperience/a2z.htm
Disability Support Office
Block 2, 2nd Floor, University Place, Oxford Road
Telephone (0161) 275 7512/8518
Web: http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/disability/
The Disability Support Office exists to help all students who have a disability of any kind,
including mental health problems. It will provide students with practical support and guidance,
assist them in making use of technological aids and, with their consent, inform disciplines
where special provisions need to be made for them.
Careers Service
Crawford House, Precinct Centre, Booth Street East
Telephone (0161) 275 2828
Web: http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/
The University Careers Service is open between 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday,
throughout the year. The careers adviser who deals with students studying modern languages,
Linguistics and/or English Language is Ms Chris Hughes (chris.hughes@manchester.ac.uk).