Support & Progress

We recognise that being away from home and new to the British education system; international students require extra support and assistance. We strive to ensure our international students are provided with outstanding academic and general welfare support throughout their time at MPW.

To help students achieve their full potential and thrive in an encouraging learning environment, MPW offers strong and sympathetic pastoral care to students and families. The friendly and supportive Personal Tutor system is a key feature of our colleges.

Our renowned Personal Tutor System

Each student is assigned to a Personal Tutor (at MPW London, a Personal Tutor is called Director of Studies), whose role is to supervise students’:

academic progress,
university applications and
general welfare.

The Personal Tutor is also someone students can speak to if they are having any personal difficulties that are affecting their studies. The Personal Tutor team is passionate about its role within the college and upholds our mission of turning students’ academic aspirations into reality.

Supporting our ethos of an open community, Personal Tutors keep in frequent contact with subject tutors and parents and fully commit to helping and encouraging students under their care.

Academic Progress

We have students from a range of different backgrounds and academic histories, but all have one thing in common – an ambition to secure a good university place and make the most out of their studies with us. At MPW, students are supported and encouraged and receive specialist university preparation to identify the right universities and courses.

Right from the very beginning of the course, the Personal Tutor will have a constructive discussion with students to provide academic counselling on how best to achieve their future objectives.

Progress of international students at MPW is constantly monitored through regular communication with subject tutors and individual one-to-one discussion with students. Regular individual meetings are held to discuss test results, progress in class, homework and reports. Workshops and activities are held to address the particular needs of international students.

We also offer continued support in English language development, academically and socially and a pre-arrival week to ensure that international students are settled before the term even begins. During term time, there are trips, socials and many activities to cater for all interests.

MPW is renowned for helping students achieve higher grades and improved examination performance. Regular testing and exam preparation are scheduled to make sure students stay on track with their personal goals.

University Application

International students who are unfamiliar with the British education system and UCAS application process often find the support and guidance from their Personal Tutors immensely helpful.

For university applications, the Personal Tutor is there to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, to identify areas that need to be reflected in the application form and to help them put together a very powerful personal statement which will make them stand out in a competitive field.

Students applying to Oxbridge and medical schools will receive additional advice concerning the application process as well as participating in interview preparation and practice.

2020 proves to be another outstanding year for our international students, visit our Results and Destinations page to find out more.

General Welfare & Pastoral Support

We understand that throughout their time at MPW students may find that they need more than academic support. When they need to discuss a personal problem or just need someone to talk to, the Personal Tutor is the first point of contact who can assist with issues such as homesickness, financial difficulties and health.

We also have an outstanding counselling system to support students with mental health issues, find out more about the counselling services available at each college: MPW London Counselling Services, MPW Birmingham Counselling Services and MPW Cambridge Counselling Services.

Keeping Parents Well Informed

At MPW, we aim to ensure we have an ongoing conversation with parents about the overall wellbeing and academic progress of the students throughout the year.

Parents are warmly encouraged to communicate with Personal Tutors on a regular basis and informal meetings between parents, students and tutors provide constructive forums for assessing progress. We support and monitor our students attentively, setting high standards regarding punctuality, attendance and work completion. Our Personal Tutors believe in a policy of quick intervention regarding student performance to help ensure that every one of our students has the greatest chance of success. We encourage parents to access our excellent and secure online parent portal (MY MPW). MY MPW enables parents to access students’ weekly Timed Assignment performance, most recent grade sheet or subject report and their attendance.

We want the best for our young people and this is why we work in close partnership with parents. We provide an extensive reporting system with reports going out twice in the Autumn term, twice in the Spring term and once in the Summer term.

We are delighted with the feedback parents provide. To read examples of the feedback we have received, please visit the Parent Comments pages for each of our colleges:

Our Personal Tutor system is something we are proud of because we know it plays an important role in the educational success of our students. As educators we are here to make a difference and as Personal Tutors we will go that extra mile.

The comments of students in the Case Histories section of this website give both specific examples and a wider insight into the success of this system.

“Getting into…’ University Guides

Getting into higher education may be the toughest challenge you’ve faced yet. MPW’s careers guidance and university entrance guides can help you pick the right course and the right university, and give you valuable UCAS form help. Written by experts with a wealth of knowledge, MPW Guides are set out in straightforward language. They give clear, practical advice to help you win a place on the course of your choice.

Read our guides

Support & Progress