UKAT offers conferences, webinars and other events throughout the year, both online and in various locations around the UK. These events provide professional development opportunities for personal tutors and academic advisors who are invested in helping students achieve academic success.
The UKAT Annual Conference is the major event of the year and provides an opportunity to learn in general sessions from experts in the field, gain knowledge and review best practices with colleagues in concurrent sessions, and participate in interactive workshops. The variety of learning formats also may include poster sessions, exhibitor presentations, and formal and informal networking opportunities.
Upcoming Events
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From Access to Achievement: Using Higher Education Learning Mentors to Deliver Access and Participation Plan Outcomes
Thursday 19 November 2026, 14:00 - Thursday 19 November 2026, 15:30
OnlineEmma Benyon and Amy Walton, Blackpool and The Fylde College
How can higher education providers move beyond compliance and translate Access and Participation Plans (APPs) into meaningful action that improves student success? This webinar explores Blackpool and The Fylde College's Higher Education Learning Mentor (HELM) model, a strategic APP intervention designed to enhance belonging, continuation, attainment and the overall student experience. Supporting a diverse higher education and apprenticeship population, many of whom balance study alongside work, caring responsibilities and other commitments, HELMs provide proactive academic mentoring, coaching, skills development and personalised transition support. Embedded within curriculum areas and informed by student feedback, the model identifies and addresses barriers before they impact outcomes. Drawing on evidence of impact and implementation insights, this session offers a practical and transferable approach for institutions seeking to embed student-centred, APP-aligned support that strengthens confidence, engagement and success.
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UKAT Conference 2027
Monday 5 April 2027, 13:00 - Wednesday 7 April 2027, 14:30
Abertay University, DundeeAdvising through the Transitions: Enabling Student Success through Shared Understanding
This two-and-a-half-day conference focuses on advising students through transitions in further and higher education, highlighting how our institutions can use integrated approaches that combine curriculum and professional services to enable this ambition. The conference will bring together college and university staff and students to explore how, through advising, our curriculum and support services can improve the transition for students moving from schools and colleges to university and beyond. Are universities aware of student expectations from school and college, and do those in the schools and colleges really know what is required at university? How do we advise and support students through new challenges that they face? How do we advise students who are moving on to prepare them for the next stage of their journey? And how do we prepare our staff to think differently to address issues with which they may be unfamiliar?
The conference begins at 12:00 on Monday, 5 April, with a programme of interactive afternoon workshops delivered by UKAT and some of our partners. All delegates will be invited to select and pre-register for one workshop from the range of options available.
On the evening of Monday, 5 April, delegates will gather for a special Conference Plenary World Café at Verdant Works Museum, Scotland's award-winning museum of the jute industry. The plenary session will provide an engaging opportunity for collaborative dialogue and discussion. The evening will also include an informal dinner and professional networking opportunities. Delegates will enjoy exclusive access to the museum, allowing time to explore Dundee's rich industrial heritage.
The conference programme will continue Tuesday 6 April and Wednesday 7 April, featuring keynote presentations, research papers, case studies, interactive sessions, and opportunities for networking and professional exchange. The programme will showcase the latest thinking and practice in personal tutoring and academic advising, while creating space for meaningful conversations about supporting student success across the sector.
Whether you are an experienced practitioner, researcher, educational developer, student services professional, or new to the field, we warmly encourage you to join us for what promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking conference.
Events in italic typeface are not provided by UKAT but are 3rd party events which may be of interest to UKAT members