Session Outline

This workshop aims to provide a space for those engaged, or looking to engage, with coaching to explore how this approach can be implemented across higher education institutions to support student success. Academic coaching is consistently linked to improved academic performance, well-being and retention, with a strong potential for in-person one-on-one coaching models to yield more positive outcomes (Campbell and Mogashana, 2025). Through the Abertay+ Scheme, Abertay University in Dundee is in the early phases of introducing 1:1 coaching amongst several cohorts of students admitted through widening access routes such as contextual admission criteria.

Through targeted and individualised support and coaching, the scheme supports students in achieving their academic and social goals with a focus on student success and retention.  With the support of a coaching intervention, Abertay+ hopes to create more opportunities for under-represented students by providing access to higher education for those demonstrating potential but who have not met the standard admission requirements.  Coaching approaches place an onus on Connection (Building meaningful relationships with students), Contracting (co-producing and agreeing on the expectations and responsibilities within the coaching process) and Conversation (a focused approach to supporting students to develop tangible action plans) (Gannon, 2025, p. 3). Through active participation with vignettes and a short introduction to the Abertay Coaching Model, workshop attendees will have the collaborative opportunity to share real-world practice, consider the practicalities of measuring impact and explore the overall strengths and barriers of coaching as a tool for supporting student success.

Learning Outcomes

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