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- Tasks: Support students in their studies and help them achieve academic success.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at VCAD, located in London and Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, pension scheme, and discounts on gym, cinema, and groceries.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and help them thrive academically.
- Qualifications: Experience in higher education or student support is essential.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for career development and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 48000 £ per year.
The Academic Progress & Success Mentor will play a key role in supporting students to engage with their studies, meet module learning outcomes, and successfully progress through their programmes.
Working as part of the Academic Progress & Success Team, the postholder will provide targeted academic support to individual students who are at risk of non-submission, reassessment, or underperformance. This includes maintaining regular contact with an assigned cohort of students, offering practical guidance on assessments, and supporting students to reach a point where they are confident and prepared to submit their work. The role is focused on improving submission rates, first-time pass rates, and overall student continuation, through timely and structured academic support.
Key Responsibilities
- Student Engagement and Support: Maintain regular contact with an allocated group of students, providing consistent and structured academic support. Proactively engage students who are disengaged or at risk of non-submission. Build supportive working relationships that encourage accountability and sustained engagement. Support students in developing effective study habits and independent learning skills.
- Academic Guidance: Support students in understanding module learning outcomes, assessment requirements, and submission expectations. Provide clear guidance on how to approach assignments in line with academic standards. Assist students in interpreting feedback and applying it to future work. Support the development of academic writing, research, and assessment skills.
- Draft Review and Formative Feedback: Review draft work, where appropriate, and provide constructive, formative feedback to support improvement prior to submission. Offer feedback through appropriate channels (e.g. email, one-to-one sessions), focusing on clarity, structure, and alignment with learning outcomes. Highlight areas for development while ensuring students retain responsibility for their own work. Ensure all support remains within institutional academic integrity guidelines.
- Monitoring and Follow-up: Track student engagement, progress, and readiness for submission. Follow up with students in advance of key deadlines to support timely submission. Identify early signs of academic risk and take appropriate action. Maintain accurate records of student interactions and interventions.
- Targeted Interventions: Provide additional support to students identified as at risk of non-submission, requiring reassessment, borderline in achieving module outcomes, work with students to break down assignments into manageable stages and support re-engagement following periods of absence or low participation.
- Contribution to Outcomes: Contribute to improvements in submission rates, first-time pass rates, student progression and continuation and work towards agreed targets for student engagement and success within the allocated cohort.
- Collaboration: Work closely with Academic Deans, Programme Leaders, and Module Leaders to support student progress, liaise with Registry and other professional services where appropriate and contribute to team discussions and the ongoing development of the Academic Progress & Success Team.
- Teaching Support and Cover Responsibilities: Provide teaching cover as required to support continuity of academic delivery. This may include undertaking lecturing responsibilities during periods of staff absence, annual leave, or sickness, as well as providing support in emergency situations. The postholder will deliver scheduled teaching sessions where necessary, ensuring alignment with module learning outcomes, maintaining academic standards, and supporting a consistent student experience. This responsibility is intended to provide flexibility within the academic team and ensure minimal disruption to teaching provision.
Key Performance Indicators
- Student submission rates within assigned cohort
- First-time pass rates
- Reduction in reassessment volumes
- Engagement levels of identified at-risk students
- Student feedback on support received
Person Specification
- Essential: Experience of working in a higher education or student support environment. Understanding of assessment processes and academic requirements within HE. Ability to support and motivate students from a range of academic backgrounds. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage a defined caseload. Ability to monitor and respond to student data and engagement indicators.
- Desirable: Experience in academic advising, tutoring, or coaching. Familiarity with virtual learning environments (e.g. Moodle). Understanding of academic integrity and good academic practice. Experience supporting students at risk of non-progression.
Key Attributes
- Approachable and supportive manner
- Clear and practical communication style
- Ability to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries
- Proactive and well organised
- Focused on student outcomes and continuous improvement
Benefits
- Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
- Workplace pension scheme
- Company Sick Policy
- Statutory maternity/paternity pays
- Career development opportunities
- Training and self-development opportunities
- Gym membership discounts
- Retail discount schemes
- Cinema discounts
- Grocery discounts
- Cycle to work
- Investing and savings opportunities
- Financial wellbeing – personal debt advice
- Financial wellbeing education
- My Mind Pal (mental fitness)
Higher Education Academic Support Mentor in London employer: Victoria College of Arts and Design
Contact Detail:
Victoria College of Arts and Design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Higher Education Academic Support Mentor in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the Academic Progress & Success Team. A friendly chat can give us insider info on what they value in candidates and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to student support and engagement. We want to show that we understand the challenges students face and how to help them succeed.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our passion for education! During interviews, share personal stories about how we've helped students in the past. This will demonstrate our commitment to their success and make us stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us fresh in their minds and shows our enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why we’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Higher Education Academic Support Mentor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Academic Progress & Success Mentor role. Highlight your experience in higher education and how it aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We want to see how you can make a difference!
Showcase Your Support Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to engage and support students. Share specific examples of how you've helped students overcome challenges or improve their academic performance. This will show us that you're the right fit for our team!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of why you’re perfect for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Victoria College of Arts and Design
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Academic Progress & Success Mentor. Familiarise yourself with how to support students effectively and what strategies can improve submission rates and student engagement.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to build supportive relationships with students. Think about times when you've successfully motivated or guided someone through a challenging academic situation.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like supporting a disengaged student or providing feedback on their work. Practice articulating your thought process and the steps you would take to ensure student success.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
This position involves managing a defined caseload of students, so be ready to discuss how you prioritise tasks and track student progress. Share any tools or methods you use to stay organised and ensure timely follow-ups with students.