The role of the supervisor

Every student in the University has a supervisor who is appointed by the relevant department from amongst members of the academic staff.

Details of skills support available to students are available via the student skills hub.

Supervision Policy

The policy for supervision of undergraduate students on taught programmes (undergraduate and postgraduate) was revised for 2011.

Students on taught programmes

Supervisor responsibilities

The supervisor provides students with accessible, supportive and confidential advice and guidance. The supervisor’s primary role is in relation to academic matters, but the supervisor also supports students in their personal development and well being and in the understanding and development of the skills that underpin success in and beyond their work at University. In all these areas, the supervisor is part of a wider network of professionals with specific knowledge and duties for teaching and learning, personal development and employability, and welfare.

The particular role of the supervisor is to take a personal interest in the student’s overall progress, to be alert and responsive to signs of difficulties or problems and, where these may arise, to advise students on how best to address them, and/or to refer them to the appropriate specialist expertise in the Department, the Careers Service, the College system, YUSU, and Student Support Services.

Specifically the supervisor :

  • schedules and urges supervisees to attend at least one individual meeting per term, and in addition is available for further meetings or events as appropriate, as set out in the Department’s policy
  • monitors and discusses the supervisee’s academic progress and feedback in order to help the supervisee improve performance, progress throughout the academic year; identify issues, skills gaps and any needs for further support, and advises how these can best be addressed
  • keeps a record of meetings to help the supervisee and supervisor reflect on progress
  • liaises with administrative staff within the Department who assist with the management of the supervisory system
  • liaises as appropriate with colleagues in the International Office, Colleges, Student Support Services, Careers Service and YUSU
  • provides references when requested for supervisees while they are at York and for a reasonable period after they have left (at least three years and possibly longer in particular cases, e.g. where the student has not been engaged in a subsequent academic or work activity where a more appropriate referee could be found)

The Supervisee is required to:

  • understand the purpose of the supervisory relationship and the principal requirement to meet at least once per term
  • understand that the supervisor’s principal role is an academic advisor who will oversee their progress, discuss feedback, advise on module choices and liaise with other colleagues involved with their academic progress
  • keep their Supervisor informed of any events which may compromise their academic progress (e.g. illness) which may necessitate emails and/or meetings in between formalised supervisory meetings
  • be aware that they might expect generalised advice regarding pastoral matters but should not expect their academic supervisor to solve problems requiring specialized advice but rather be signposted to these specialized services
  • attend supervisory meetings with appropriate marks and feedback if required

Changing supervisors

At undergraduate or equivalent level, students should be able to request a change of supervisor without giving any reason, and the mechanism for requesting a change should be made known, for example through departmental handbooks.

Departments should have arrangements for alternative sources of support to be available in the absence of a particular supervisor.

Postgraduate research students

Supervision of these students entails some different responsibilities.

Details are set out here. 

HYMS students

HYMS students have a 'personal adviser' rather than a supervisor. 

The HYMS Student Handbook describes the status and role of personal advisers.

 

Further information