Accessibility statement

Research Student Mentoring Scheme

All new Chemistry postgraduate research students are assigned a Graduate Student Mentor. The aim of the scheme is to provide support for new research students and help you to settle into the Department, to promote links across the Department and to provide skills development for both mentor and mentee.  You will meet your mentor shortly after arrival. 

If you not previously studied at York, your mentor will usually be from the research group you will join and/or from your own country or region.  He/she will be able to give advice and guidance about the department, University and city before you arrive and during your first few busy weeks on campus.  You will be put in contact with your mentor by email in the weeks before your arrival in York so they may answer any queries you may have.  Some examples of how your mentor could help might be to explain which buses to catch to the University; the location of Stores for stationary and equipment; the availability of photocopiers; which computers can be used; the procedures to follow if working out-of-hours; and how the various coffee clubs work.  Around Heslington campus and in the locality your mentor should be able to tell you the location of cash points, banks, local shops, the Student Administration Building and other useful amenities.

If you are returning to York, you will be appointed a mentor from a different research group to improve collaboration among research groups across the Department, enable you to meet a broad range of students, provide you with access to a range of departmental activities, and support and guidance as you progress through your research degree.

The mentor-partnership should be considered as a means to explore options and understand more about working in the Department of Chemistry. A mentee should not expect the mentor to solve their problems.

"The mentoring scheme is very helpful for new international students.  The mentor helped me to know more in detail about the University and the Department. Because I was late to arrive and missed the pick-up scheme which was organised by the Student Association, the mentor kindly agreed to pick me up at the York railway station and guide me to the department to settle in the first day. "

MSc by research student