A comparative evaluation of the roles of student adviser and personal tutor in relation to undergraduate student retention

This report investigated the impact of the roles of non-academic student advisers and “traditional‟ academic personal tutors in relation to undergraduate retention.

One of the main aims of this project was to identify the students’ perspective on what help they required when experiencing difficulties who they required it from and when it was required. It looked at the factors that caused students to consider leaving university as well as the sources and types of support within and outside the university which influenced their decision to stay. The key finding from this study was that the advice from personal tutors was as important as advice from student advisers and that help may also be sought from non-professionals.