Bristol University’s failing personal tutor system is worsening student mental health

Bristol University has a personal tutor problem. I should know – like 25 per cent of UoB students we surveyed on Instagram, for the first two years of uni I never met my personal tutor.

Studies have found that academic/personal tutors are of high importance for student mental health. Having someone to ground you into the university community, who will notice if things go astray and encourage you in your studies, should be a vital part of wellbeing services. So why does Bristol, the university that set the legal precedent for duty of care after contributing to the death of a student, slack on this?

‘This is beyond my remit’

When surveyed on our Instagram, 49 per cent of UoB students said they do not feel supported by their personal tutor. One student explained: “In our first meeting, he told the whole group, if it is mental health related, it is beyond my remit.”

On the face of it, this may seem fair; we should not expect academic staff to be counsellors. However, if someone is struggling with their studies, how likely is it that it is unrelated to their mental health?

When students are told this in their first encounter, they feel like their tutor is not someone they can confide in. That they’re not someone who will care if they struggle. This needs to change.

It is not about being a therapist but being a human.

Absent tutors

25 per cent of UoB students told The Bristol Tab they have never met their personal tutor. And for many who have, they struggle to get in contact with them.

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The personal tutor I had for two years of my degree, I never met. When I asked why, unlike all of my peers, I had received no progress meetings, she responded, saying: “It is not my personal style.”

Speaking about their tutor, one student explained: “He spent the last two years saying he was going to retire next week, so not to bother with emailing him.” Many others iterated how they “ignored every email” or “it feels like I am talking to an automated response.”

Often, students whose tutors go MIA are not reassigned one. This was the experience of Alice* a second year student whose tutor went on research leave. She told us: “I wasn’t told he had gone on research leave and was not assigned a new one for ages.”

Alice went three months without a personal tutor. Three other students shared almost identical stories with us.

This is clearly a problem. What are personal tutors here for if graduation is the first time you meet?

Economics

Economics students told The Bristol Tab they do not have personal tutors. As Emma*, a first year economics student, explained: “Economics students don’t get personal tutors, despite the uni saying everyone has one.”

Adding: “We have requested them so many times.” Emma explained the school instead has a support team instead, making closer and trusting relationships difficult.

On the university website, it states: “All students on taught programmes are assigned a personal tutor or personal tutor team.” However, 13 students separately contacted The Bristol Tab, saying economics does not have personal tutors.

Impersonal

Gia* a final year geography student told us: “After knowing her for two years, crying to her over my work, I bumped into her outside of uni, and she completely blanked me.”

For many, speaking with their personal tutor is like speaking to a brick wall. With many “taking ages to respond to emails” or responding “like an automated response.”

This does not instil trust in students to seek support when they are struggling.

The shining hope

Bristol Uni does have some amazing personal tutors. The issue is that everyone should have one. 51 per cent of the students we surveyed said they feel supported by their personal tutor. One student told The Bristol Tab: “I love having meeting with (my personal tutor). He always listens to whatever I have to say.”

A good personal tutor can be a saving grace when your struggling at uni. Helping you to manage deadlines, job applications and attendance. Theo a third year student said his personal tutor is “incredibly helpful, always supported me through any issues personal or educational.”

As Olivia*, a fourth year English student, explained: “A good personal tutor can either make or break your attitude to uni.”

Clearly UoB has many amazing staff which support students and it is not beyond reach for everyone to be supported

While personal tutors are not expected to be mental health professionals they should sign post you to appropriate support.

Bristol Uni’s website reads: “Bristol is renowned for its outstanding academic environment. Whether you are a first year undergraduate student or PhD candidate, we will support you to reach your potential.”

After speaking with peers and surveying nearly 2,000 students, I am not convinced this is true. I am urging the university to do better.

A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “Personal tutors play an important role to provide academic support to students and help them get the most out of their studies. We know from talking to students that most value the relationship with their personal tutor and the advice and support they are able to give them.

“In the past few weeks, we have received over 200 student nominations for our 2025 Outstanding Personal Tutoring award, but we are also aware that there need to be improvements. To this end, we are currently well underway with a significant project to refresh our academic personal tutoring based on conversations with students in Schools where this is working well.

“By distilling these examples of good practice into core principles we are establishing an evidence-based and consistent approach across the University. We’re sorry to hear about any negative experiences and would encourage anyone who has concerns to speak to their senior tutor so we can support them and help resolve any issues.”

For wellbeing support, click here.