Tutor's Tip

"Try to strike the balance right. Help the students, but remember you are an academic and there is only so much you can do to help before you must pass on to the next person in line (usually your Senior Tutor). Students do know that there are limits to what you are able to do, and it is usually good to help them realise these, but do this before they need help!" (Personal Tutor, Department of Chemistry)

As a Personal Tutor at Imperial you are not expected to know all of the answers to the questions that your tutees ask of you or to be trained to handle all situations. A key message from this guide is to think about at what point and how to involve other Imperial-based specialists in supporting your tutee.

Referring students to sources of expert help is a central aspect of your role as a Personal Tutor. Having explained the options, discussed the benefits of each and given contact information it is best to encourage your tutee to refer themselves, thereby taking responsibility for it.

Below you can see key information for Personal Tutors from each of the main student support services at Imperial.

staff videos

A Personal Tutors guide to the Centre for Academic English

Dr Julie King

A Personal Tutors guide to the Centre for Academic English

How the Centre for Academic English support Personal Tutors and their tutees

Angela Urasala talking about the Advice Centre team

A Personal Tutors guide to the Student Advice service

How the Advice Centre team at Imperial College support Personal Tutors and their tutees

Richard Carruthers talking about the Careers service

A Personal Tutors guide to the Careers Service at Imperial

How the Careers Service at Imperial College support Personal Tutors and their tutees

Rev. Andrew Willson talking about the Chaplaincy service

A Personal Tutors guide to the Chaplaincy service

How the Chaplaincy team at Imperial College support Personal Tutors and their tutees

Christian Adams, International Student Adviser

A Personal Tutors guide to International Student Support

How the International Student Support team support Personal Tutors and their tutees

Dr Angela Kedgley

Being a Personal Tutor at Imperial - Dr Angela Kedgley

Being a personal Tutor at Imperial

Steve Cook

Being a Personal Tutor at Imperial - Dr Steve Cook

Being a personal Tutor at Imperial

Dr Lorraine Craig, Senior Tutor at Imperial College

A Personal Tutors guide to Senior Tutors at Imperial

How Senior Tutors at Imperial College support Personal Tutors and their tutees