1. The Role of the Postgraduate Academic Tutor in Economics Professor Peter Wright Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes

2. Context  Rapid rise in student staff ratio  Peaked at 38 in 2010/11

3. Context YearPGT numbers% increase 2009/10 86 2010/11 13051 2011/12 19651  Rapid rise in student staff ratio  Peaked at 38 in 2010/11  Growth in PGT numbers

4. Consequences  Teaching delivery: fairly robust  Pastoral care: creaking

5. Consequences  Teaching delivery: fairly robust  Pastoral care: creaking  2011/12: 196 students  Home: 16  Overseas: 180  Chinese: 162

6. Postgraduate academic tutor  Personal tutor  Advice on academic matters  Study skills, especially those of particular relevance to PGT study  Study issues relating to the unfamiliar nature of study conditions in the UK  Specific help on basic skills (e.g. introductory maths and statistics)  Consultation and feedback hours; invited small group sessions; workshops  PGTSSF/PGLTC

7. Postgraduate academic tutor  Benefits  For students  For PGT director  Current operation  2 PGT academic tutors provide academic support to entire cohort Provide pastoral support to their personal tutees