The challenges of personal tutoring in higher education: Applying a coaching approach at a UK higher education institution

This research explores the lived experiences of personal tutors in the Higher Education (HE) sector in order to understand the effectiveness of implementing a coaching approach to personal tutoring. The qualitative research comprised five semi-structured interviews with academic staff performing the personal tutor role in a single HE institution in the United Kingdom. The interviews explored the current issues with the personal tutoring system and sought perspectives on whether adopting a coaching approach to personal tutoring would be beneficial for students. The findings indicate that adopting a coaching approach to personal tutoring facilitates the development of resilient, self-confident and self-reliant individuals.