Volunteer mentors are the most important part of PASS. Without them, the scheme could not run. They can offer first-years something staff members cannot – recent experience of being a first-year in the mentees’ own school or departments. 

Hours 

Mentors in each department give varying amounts of time, it is a flexible scheme. Mentors who commit to more than 10 hours per academic year are accredited through HEAR.

Who can be a mentor?

Mentors are second and third-year volunteers chosen or approved by their school or department. Most mentors are motivated by wanting to give new students the help they wished they had had at the same stage. Through mentoring, students increase their own academic and social confidence and gain useful experience and key employability skills. 

What is the key skill of a PASS mentor?

Mentors are there to help mentees come to their own conclusions and solutions, not to supply answers. 

How can you become a mentor? 

Mentor recruitment for 2025 - 26 is now open and live on the PASS Careers webpage. 

For more information about the role see the careers jobs and work experience web page. Please note: compulsory training sessions are held at the start of each new academic year.

Student organisers are at the pivot of the whole scheme as they are the main contact point for all the staff and students involved in PASS. They lead their team to publicise and plan the scheme in their department and are often experienced mentors.

Hours 

More commitment is expected of organisers, they have paperwork to complete and sessions to organise. 

How do you become a Student Organiser? 

Contact the current organiser in your department (details on this web page)  to find out first hand what the role entails. 

Student Organiser recruitment for 2025 - 26 is now open and live on the PASS Careers webpage. 

For more information about the role see the careers jobs and work experience web page. Please note: compulsory training sessions are held at the start of each new academic year.

I just wanted to say a big thank you for everything that PASS has meant to me these past few years. The new SOs are really perfect for the job. I couldn't be more proud of them and the whole team and of the sense of community that PASS has built within our course.
Previous Student Organiser from Dentistry

Every school or departmental PASS scheme has an interested and involved academic to liaise with the student organisers on course matters and logistical issues. Some academic coordinators work with an administrative or support colleague who is also a key contact for the mentor team.