Academic personal tutoring resources
On this page you'll find a range of resources and additional provision for academic personal tutors, including:
- APT Bitesize video series
- UKAT resources
- Disability Services APT support
- Year-round welcome for students
- User guides for APT systems
- Access and Success Insight Sessions
- Student Success Forum
- Student support
Additionally, colleagues can visit our APT landing page to find our range of development opportunities for APTs, the APT Handbook and the APT Teams Community.
APT Bitesize video series
APT Bitesize is a series of short, practical videos designed to support academic personal tutors (APTs) to develop their practice by exploring approaches to APT, sharing experiences and offering practical advice. The series is presented by Dr Ruth Payne, an experienced APT, and one of the University’s Belonging Leads. Through these concise and easy to digest episodes, you’ll gain valuable perspectives on creating meaningful connections, addressing student needs, and fostering a sense of belonging. Please note: Episode descriptions and links are available in the following section.
APT Bitesize episode 1: Belonging: the crucial role of personal tutoring
About this episode: In this episode, Dr Ruth Payne explores personal tutoring from a belonging perspective, recognising the vital role personal tutors play in the lives of students, helping them to feel that they are valued and belong.
APT Bitesize episode 2: Personal tutoring and new students
About this episode: This episode focuses on supporting new students through personal tutoring, acknowledging their worries and expectations they might have engaging with personal tutoring. Dr Ruth Payne provides guidance on how to accommodate them in their university experience, highlighting the benefits of both ‘group’ tutoring and a tailored, one-to-one approach. The episode also looks at how tutors can celebrate students’ achievements, while supporting them through difficult experiences.
Topics covered in this episode:
- APT and new students
- Your first conversation matters
- Welcome, Induction and Transition (WIT) resources and links
- Checking module enrolment
- Group tutoring and fostering peer relationships
- Addressing homesickness
- How to address staff
- Commuting time between sessions
- Reading lists
- Joining and leaving teaching sessions
- Assessment guidance
- Importance of keeping tutorial notes
- You matter, I see you – following up on absent tutees.
Episode duration: 18 minutes 36 seconds
APT Bitesize episode 3: Personal tutoring and meaningful conversations
In this episode, Dr Ruth Payne highlights the power of meaningful conversations in personal tutoring, exploring how to build trust and engage actively with your tutees. Practical advice on scheduling and running sessions ensures you can align your methods with both your preferences and student needs.
Topics covered in this episode:
- Making tutorials worthwhile – framing around student goals
- Effective questions you might ask
- Attendance at tutorials
- Should you have MS Teams or in-person sessions?
- Realistic expectations for students
- Student’s scheduling preferences
- Where to find support and guidance for signposting
- Understanding the crisis pathway
Episode duration: Duration 9 minutes 37 seconds
Watch all episodes of the APT Bitesize video series as a playlist, or explore individual episodes using the links in the sections above
Resources from UKAT
Our membership with UKAT (UK Advising and Tutoring Association) gives all APTs at Leeds access to UKAT’s member-only resources.
To access these resources, simply register as an affiliate member for free via the UKAT website.
As an affiliate member, you’ll have access to a range of courses. In addition, thanks to our enhanced institutional membership, University of Leeds APTs also have access to additional modules beyond the standard offering.
UKAT resources (affiliate membership access)
Below is a breakdown of courses that can be accessed with an affiliate membership:
UKAT resources (available with our enhanced membership)
As part of our enhanced membership, University of Leeds APTs also have access to the following modules:
- M202: Being Inclusive
- M214: Building Connections
- M215: Personal Tutoring and Narrowing Awarding Gaps
- M208: Our Students’ Stories
Disability Services APT support
User guides for APT systems
Year-round welcome for students
Access and Success Insight Sessions
Student Success Forum
Student Support
Additional support and resources
APT development opportunities
Visit our APT development opportunities page to view upcoming events and workshops available throughout the academic year. Collaborating closely with our colleagues in Student Support, we have designed a core provision along with a wide range of optional sessions.
APT Teams Community
Join the Academic Personal Tutor (APT) Community on MS Teams. This peer-led space is for all APTs and other colleagues involved in or with an interest in academic personal tutoring. It is a way to be part of the APT community, engage with colleagues to share successes, ask questions of other APTs, discuss ideas or issues relating to the APT role and is a platform for sharing resources and ideas.
Other OD&PL development opportunities
- Explore all development opportunities from across OD&PL by visiting the Programme and Events Calendar (Staff Intranet) or the Training and Events Overview (A-Z) page.
- Read our monthly OD&PL development roundup articles on the Staff Intranet.
- Follow OD&PL on Bluesky and LinkedIn.