Cohort leads

Your Cohort Lead will help facilitate your transition to studying at the University of Edinburgh.

Who is my Cohort Lead?

Your Cohort Lead is your programme director, deputy director or programme coordinator. They are one of your key academic contacts throughout your studies and help you build connections with your programme and fellow students.

How can my Cohort Lead support me?

Your Cohort Lead helps create a welcoming and connected programme community. During the year, they may organise group-based activities, welcome and transition events, and other opportunities to connect with your fellow students.

They can also support your academic and research development, including:

  • Developing your research skills, knowledge and understanding
  • Discussing your academic progress and development
  • Helping you find the right support if they cannot resolve an issue directly
  • Providing advice about your academic or career development
  • Sharing their experience of academic and research communities.

If you have an academic concern or are unsure who to speak to, you can contact your Cohort Lead for advice.

What can I expect of my Cohort Lead?

Your Cohort Lead will:

  • Advise you and help you review your progress
  • Advocate for you where appropriate in matters relating to your academic experience and wellbeing
  • Discuss your academic progress and provide career guidance
  • Help build a sense of community within your cohort
  • Help welcome and support you through induction and transition
  • Respond to you in a timely way

What about the wider teaching team?

Your wider teaching team is there to support you with courses, assessments and academic questions. Your Cohort Lead works closely with professional services colleagues and the wider teaching team to help ensure you have the support you need throughout your studies.

If your programme does not have a Student Adviser, your Cohort Lead will also be your main point of contact for pastoral and wellbeing support.

Additional support

Some programmes may provide a professional mentor to offer additional career-focused support. If this is available on your programme, you will be given more information about how the mentoring scheme works.

Academic skills - student-facing support for academic study skills

This article was published on