Academic Advising Initiative

This case study outlines the Academic Advising Initiative at University College Dublin (UCD), a HEA SATLE-funded project (2021–2026) designed to enhance the student educational experience through structured, institution-wide academic advising. Led by UCD Teaching & Learning, the initiative established a university-wide definition and principles for advising, piloted multiple learning enhancement projects, and developed an in-house system to allocate students to academic advisors. A dedicated IT platform (e2s) was implemented to streamline communication, appointment scheduling, and educational planning. Following a successful pilot across five schools involving over 1,000 students and 160 staff in year one, the initiative expanded in year two to over 2,200 students and 350 staff. Early feedback highlights improved student confidence, clearer communication, and enhanced support during transition, with ongoing refinement focused on engagement, system development, and broader rollout.