Peer support opportunities

Who it’s for: Plus Programme students interested in co-studying opportunities. 

What it is: Buddy Up is a study buddy scheme run by the Plus Programme, designed to help you find study partners during exam seasons. You’ll be matched based on compatible schedules and studying preferences. For more information, keep a lookout for communications from the Plus Programme in the weeks leading up to exam periods. 

Who it’s for: ​​​​All students.

What it is: Careers Service Peer Support Assistants offer peer-to-peer support as part of a wider role within the University’s Careers Service. These current students can respond to your careers-related questions and provide job search advice, as well as help you to engage with the range of careers support available through this service.

Who it’s for: ​​​​​​All students.

What it is: Language Groups are weekly conversation practice groups in different languages, led by student volunteers who are speakers of that language. They facilitate friendly relaxed sessions on topics such as student life and cross-cultural experience.

Who it’s for: ​​​​​​New and incoming doctoral students.

What it is: The PGR Plus Peer Mentoring Scheme allows new and incoming doctoral students to connect with more experienced doctoral student-peers and to get peer-level insights, info, advice and guidance. The scheme is designed to support doctoral students during their first year of a postgraduate research degree, and to help you settle into the University of Leeds research community. For more information, email the PGR Diversity team at pgrdiversity@leeds.ac.uk 

Who it’s for: ​​​​​​All students.

What it is: The University Buddy Scheme is open year-round, and provides a fantastic opportunity for you to make new friends and connections. If you sign up to the scheme, you will be asked to complete a form and will then be matched with another student in the same year of study with shared interests.

Who it’s for: ​​​​​Foundation Year and First Year Undergraduate students.

What it is: The Women In Leadership Society Mentoring Scheme allows society members to receive 1-1 mentoring from a senior peer or industry mentor. Mentoring is focused on helping students make connections and to develop and pursue their leadership aspirations. 

Who it’s for: ​​​​​​All undergraduate and taught postgraduate students.

What it is: Writing Mentors are current students who are trained to support you with all elements of your academic writing. Available every weekday afternoon during term time, they can provide you with guidance on a range of topics such as writing, reading, note taking, referencing and time management to help you improve your work.

AHC Peer Mentoring Scheme

Who it’s for: ​​​​​First year students in all AHC schools.

What it is: The AHC Peer Mentoring Scheme connects first year students with peer mentors in their second year or above for advice, guidance and support about university life.

FBS Academic Skills Interns

Who it’s for: ​​​​​All students in the FBS.

What it is: FBS’ Academic Skills Interns are a small team of current students committed to supporting the academic journey of their peers. They provide academic support and advice that is relevant to the FBS curriculum through events and resources. You can request one-to-one support from the interns team by filling out the FBS Academic Skills Support Interns form.

Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) for Medics

Who it’s for: ​​​​​Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) students in years 1 to 4.

What it is: The PALS Scheme is a teaching, leading and learning opportunity for MBChB students which sees students in year 1 and up taught by students in the year above. Regular PALS sessions are run in sync with the MBChB curriculum.

Dental Families

Who it’s for: ​​​​​students in most years in the School of Dentistry.

What it is: Run by DentSoc (Leeds University Union’s Dental Society), the Dental Families Scheme arranges students into peer support groups ('families') and gives you an opportunity to connect with a dental ‘parent’ in the year above. For more information, email the Dental Society at dentsoc@luu.group.

Medical Undergraduate Mentoring Scheme (MUMS)

Who it’s for: ​​​​​First year MBChB students in the School of Medicine.

What it is: Run by MedSoc (Leeds University Union’s Medicine Society), the MUMS programme provides extra support to new medical students in adjusting to university life by assigning ‘medic parents’ from the year above. For more information, email the Medicine Society: medsocleeds@gmail.com.

Radiography Peer Mentoring Scheme

Who it’s for: First year Radiography students.

What it is: A peer mentoring scheme connecting first year students with third year peer mentors, giving you chances to get advice, guidance and support relevant to university life and placement. For more information email the Radiography Peer Mentoring Scheme team at RadiographyTeam@leeds.ac.uk

Foundation Year Peer Mentoring

Who it’s for: ​​​​​Foundation Year students preparing to progress onto an undergraduate programme in the FoH&LS 

What it is: This programme connects Science Foundation Year students with undergraduates in the faculty they’ll be progressing into for their undergraduate programme. For current undergraduates, especially those who did a Foundation Year, this is a great opportunity to help support other students’ transition to undergraduate study. For more information, email Georgia Melia: g.melia@leeds.ac.uk. 

Chemical and Process Engineering Mentoring Scheme

Who it’s for: ​​​​​First year students in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering.

What it is: Peer group sessions led by trained peer supporters in a year above to help you get advice, guidance and support, as well as giving you opportunities to ask questions relating to both academic and student life. For more information, email the School of Chemical and Process Engineering: scapestudentsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

Chemistry Peer Assisted Learning Scheme

Who it’s for: ​​​​​First year students in the School of Chemistry. 

​What it is: Peer group sessions led by trained peer supporters in a year above to help you get advice, guidance and support, as well as giving you opportunities to ask questions relating to both academic and student life. For more information, email the School of Chemistry: chemstudentsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

Civil Engineering Peer Assisted Student Support Leader Drop-Ins

Who it’s for: ​​​​​First year students in the School of Civil Engineering.

What it is: Regular drop-ins run by trained peer supporters in the year above to help you get advice, guidance and support, and ask questions relating to both academic content and to student life in general. For more information, email the School of Civil Engineering: civilenquiries@leeds.ac.uk.

Electronic and Electrical Engineering Peer Mentoring Scheme  

Who it’s for: First year students in the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

What it is: Peer group sessions led by trained peer supporters in upper years to help you get advice, guidance and support, as well as giving you opportunities to ask questions relating to both academic and student life. For more information, email the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering: elecenquiries@leeds.ac.uk.

Maths Peer Assisted Learning Scheme

Who it’s for: First year students in the School of Maths.

What it is: Peer support provided through a combination of peer group sessions and drop-in opportunities. Led by trained peer supporters in the year above, these sessions help you get advice, guidance and support, as well as give you opportunities to ask questions relating to both academic and student life. For more information, email the School of Maths: mathsstudentsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

Mechanical Engineering Peer Mentoring Scheme

Who it’s for: First year students in the School of Mechanical Engineering.

What it is: Peer group sessions led by trained peer supporters in a year above to help you get advice, guidance and support, as well as giving you opportunities to ask questions relating to both academic and student life. For more information, email the School of Mechanical Engineering: mech_enquiries@leeds.ac.uk.

Physics Student Network

Who it’s for: First year students in the School of Physics.

What it is: Physics Student Network sessions are run by trained peer supporters in upper years to help you get advice, guidance and support and to give you opportunities to ask questions relating to both academic and student life. For more information, email the School of Physics: physicsstudentsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

Foundation Year Peer Mentoring

Who it’s for: Foundation Year students preparing to progress onto an undergraduate programme in the FEPS.

What it is: This programme connects Science Foundation Year students with undergraduates in the faculty they’ll be progressing into for their undergraduate programme. For current undergraduates, especially those who did a Foundation Year, this is a great opportunity to help support other students’ transition to undergraduate study. For more information, email Georgia Melia: g.melia@leeds.ac.uk.

Foundation Year Peer Mentoring

Who it’s for: Foundation Year students preparing to progress onto some undergraduate programmes in the FE&FSS.

What it is: This programme connects Science Foundation Year students with undergraduates in the faculty they’ll be progressing into for their undergraduate programme. For current undergraduates, especially those who did a Foundation Year, this is a great opportunity to help support other students’ transition to undergraduate study. For more information, email Georgia Melia: g.melia@leeds.ac.uk.

Year in Industry Peer Mentoring Programme 

Who it’s for: Undergraduates in the Schools of Education, Law, POLIS and SSP who are considering/pursuing a Year in Industry 

What it is: This programme connects students considering or preparing for a placement year with students who have already completed a Year in Industry. For students with placement experience, this is a great opportunity to support others as they explore, apply for and prepare for their placement journey. For prospective placement students, it provides valuable peer advice and insights into what to expect before, during and after a placement. For more information, please email Nick Brocklehurst: n.j.brocklehurst@leeds.ac.uk 

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)

Who it’s for: First year students in LUBS.

What it is: Student PASS Leaders run Peer Assisted Study Sessions over the duration of year 1. These sessions aim to help you get peer advice and guidance on the essential skills needed to support academic success, including referencing, revision techniques, and presentation tips. It can help you build your network and find connections with other students in the LUBS community.

LUBS Taught Postgraduate Buddy Scheme

Who it’s for: taught postgraduate students in LUBS.

What it is: The LUBS Taught Postgraduate Buddy Scheme is designed to help Masters students in LUBS meet new people and make friends. It can help you build your network and find connections with other Masters students in the LUBS community.

Foundation Year Peer Mentoring

Who it’s for: Foundation Year students preparing to progress onto an undergraduate degree in the FEPS or the FE.

What it is: This programme connects you with undergraduate students in the faculty you’ll be studying in once you progress on to your undergraduate course. It offers a great chance to learn more about what lies ahead and to prepare for the transition to your undergraduate studies. For more information, email Georgia Melia: g.melia@leeds.ac.uk.