Academic advising—traditional or developmental approaches?: Student perspectives

Academic advising schemes in higher educational institutions have received little research attention in the UK Two approaches to academic advising schemes are explored: the traditional and developmental approaches. The role of the adviser of studies system is examined and applied to one UK institution of higher education. Empirical research involving group discussions with final-year undergraduate students was conducted to assess the role of the advising scheme. This explored the approach students expected or desired of advisers of studies schemes. Analysis of the primary data concludes that students appear to favour a developmental approach to academic advising.