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Academic Mentors

Academic Mentoring

As an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student you will be given an Academic Mentor. This is a member of teaching staff in your Faculty or School who acts as your key point of contact while you are at Swansea University.

You should meet with your Academic Mentor one-to-one at least once every Semester. You may also be invited to group meetings or workshops with your Academic Mentor.

Your Academic Mentor will guide and support you with your academic, professional and personal development. They can help you with:

Reviewing your academic progress
Accessing academic and personal support e.g. with welfare issues
Understanding the exam and assessment system
Academic references for placements / job applications
Answering any other questions you may have or recommend where to best seek advice

Mentors may also have ‘office hours’ when you can see them as well. You can email your mentor if there is something you want to discuss and/or to arrange a meeting.

Find out more by looking at the Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have an Academic Mentor?

Ask at your Faculty Information Office. They will tell you who your Mentor is.

Do I need to attend one-to-one Academic Mentor meetings?

Make the time to attend – the meetings are for your benefit. They are an opportunity for you to explore your academic, personal and professional development with someone who is experienced in studying in and navigating university. It is about helping you to make the most of your university experience. Your Academic Mentor will be able to give you suggestions and advice and work with you on your goals.

Do I need to prepare before the meeting?

Academic mentoring is a conversation between you and your mentor. Think about what you want to gain from the meeting before you go. There is an Academic mentoring - your meeting form you can use to think about what you will discuss at your one-to-one meetings. You can fill it in if that is helpful and take it with you to the meeting or email it to your Academic Mentor in advance. Your mentor may also have things they want to talk with you about such as feedback, results and placements.

Do I need to take notes at my Academic Mentor meeting?

If you and your Mentor agree that there are actions you could take which would help you, then it is a good idea for you to write these down. Share a copy if you can with your Mentor, e.g. by email. Next time you meet you can then discuss how you have progressed with the actions. Your Academic Mentor may also take notes.

Do I need to attend group Academic Mentor meetings?

Try to attend if you can. You will meet other students on your course. Often group meetings are there to share and discuss important information, for example, about assessment, placements or other course matters.

Can I change my Academic Mentor?

Your Faculty Information Office will help you if you would like to change your Academic Mentor. You can make one request without giving reasons, although it is helpful for us to know what isn’t working. If you want to change again, then the Head of School would have to give approval and you would need to explain your reasons.

How do I contact my Academic Mentor in between meetings?

You can email your Academic Mentor at any time; however, they will usually only reply to you during working hours and it could take a day or two to respond. If your enquiry is urgent and your Academic Mentor has an out of office message on, go to your Faculty Information Office for advice.

All Academic Mentors have weekly ‘office hours’ when you may just drop in if you have a question or want advice.

Can I have an Academic Mentor who is Welsh speaking?

If you have let us know that you want a Welsh speaking Academic Mentor, then your Faculty/School will do their best to arrange this. Where possible, this will be an academic in the subject you are studying. If no one is available in your subject, then you will be offered an additional Welsh speaking Academic Mentor.

All students studying through the medium of Welsh will automatically be allocated a Welsh speaking Academic Mentor.

What will happen if I don’t attend meetings with my Academic Mentor?

What happens will depend on your Faculty or School. Usually though you will be sent an email to encourage you to rearrange the meeting and offering support. In some Schools, credit is given for attending so if you don’t go to meetings you will miss out on gaining that credit.

Overseas students on Student Route (formerly Tier4) Visas are strongly encouraged to attend all Academic Mentor meetings in order to comply with UKVI requirements.