Edinburgh University to replace DoS system

The University of Edinburgh has announced in conjunction with EUSA that it will be making significant changes to the Director of Studies system.

The university will invest millions of pounds replacing it with a new Personal Tutor system as well as providing funding in other areas.

Although the specifics of the new system are still being discussed, it is likely that it will be implemented in either September 2012 or September 2013 and will include considerable redefinitions of the current role.

It is understood that Personal Tutors will focus more on giving academic advice and monitoring students’ progress and will be less involved with administrative work.

In addition to this, peer support systems, which have been in effect in some schools with some success, will be introduced across the whole university, and student support services will receive an improvement in funding.

The news has been welcomed by EUSA who have been campaigning for a change to the current system for a number of years.

Mike Williamson, Vice-President Academic Affairs at EUSA, said: "We're very excited about the changes to student support which are being planned by the University in consultation with EUSA. A lot of the detail is still to be worked out but we'll be there throughout to make sure students are represented in the discussions.”

Mr Williamson went on to reassure students who may be apprehensive or have any misgivings about the change, he said: “A lot of students have contacted me saying that they like their DoS and they don't want it to be changed, but these students shouldn't worry. The people providing student support will be the same, it's just that their role will be somewhat redefined."

Students have had a range of problems regarding the current Director of Studies system and the majority will welcome this news.

Euan Bain is a fourth-year Accountancy and Economics student at the University who has encountered a variety of issues with the current system. He told the Journal: “For me it seems there’s not much contact time between you and your DoS. In addition to this, my DoS has changed three times in the course of my degree so I have never had an opportunity to build a good relationship with them.

"Another issue is that as I am doing a joint degree and my DoS is an economics lecturer, I feel he can’t really help me with academic issues related to accounting. I’m really glad that they have decided to change the system.”