Staff Development
There is lots of advice, guidance and formal training available to support you in your role or academic advisor.
Developing you as an advisor
This page aims to bring together training, development and support for Academic Advisors from across the university, including the Learning and Organisational Development Team.
Too busy?
Here is a snapshot of the self-led learning which is available:
Play the video
log into the video portal for this interview with academics who identify three main aspects to the advising role.
New to Academic Advising?
Don’t worry there is plenty of help available to help you do a great job. This is what we suggest you do to get started:
1. Why do we do Academic Advising?
Watch this video to see why the role is so important (you will need to log in using your University password to view the video)
2. Read the Academic Advising Policy and Guidelines
By reading the policy and guidelines you can see what is expected of you and the role of the Senior Academic Advisor in supporting you. The advising policy should be read in conjunction with the accompanying guidance document and the online resources on this site, these are linked below:
Policy on Advising Taught Students
A - Z Topics Academic Advising
Together, they set out the University’s basic requirements and expectations in the area.
3. Compete the online Academic Advising Training Course
Training for Academic Advisors
An online training module is provided for all staff acting as academic advisors at the University of Manchester. The module sets out the role and responsibilities of an academic advisor around the three themes of:
- academic progress
- employability
- and student wellbeing.
The module highlights available resources for advisors and the general boundaries for staff advising undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. It takes c.20minutes to complete.
Advisors should sign up for the module through the training catalogue. The module will then appear in Blackboard within 24 hours. The module includes video and use of speakers or headphone is required.
Please note: to complete the module advisors will have to view the final screen.
To request access through the training catalogue: click here.
This module is aimed at all academics advising taught students (UG and PGT) at the university.
4. Look at the Academic Advising Model
The Academic Advising Model has been developed to assist you in supporting advisees. It aims to generate a constructive conversation which motivates and directs students to take action and encourages reflection on their development.
The Model and supporting documents (including information on 'making the most of the Model', a guide to completing a student reflection sheet and a student action sheet) and can be found here.
5. Links to the main support services
Use the three main areas of this Academic Advising Toolkit to help you find the information you need to support your students:
Academic Advice
Go to this page on key areas of advice.
also, don't forget to visit My Learning Essentials - Embedded Programme which offers support for academics to build resources within the curriculum.
Wellbeing and Support
This includes information on Disability Advisory support Service (DASS), Six steps to support your students
Employability
Take a look at the resources for Academic Advisors which include links to FAQs, videos on accessing resources and key areas on the Careers on the website.
There is an A-Z Topics page which lists all the topics under each of these headings which you can browse to find specific items
6. Visit the Staff Learning and Development website
Here you will find access to online materials and open programmes to access to help drive your personal development to aid in your advising and beyond.
http://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/staff-learning-and-development/
7. Make Contact with your Senior Academic Advisor
If you have problem with advising and need advice, your Senior Academic Advisor should be able to help or direct you to the appropriate person for the problem you have.