Student Advisor

Role: Student Advisor

Grade and Salary: Grade 5, £26,707 - £31,236 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full-time, 35hrs per week, Fixed-term (12 months)

Reward and Benefits: 28 days annual leave + 9 public holidays (including Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday).

About our Team

The Student Advisor role is located within the Student Advisor Team, part of Student Life within the Global Registry and Academic Support Directorate. It is based at the Scottish Borders Campus.

Purpose of Role

To provide a wide range of advice, support and guidance across the student life cycle, from pre arrival to graduation. Student Advisors are a key contact point, advocating for students and ensuring parity of experience.

Key Duties and Responsibilities Supporting Assigned Individual Students

• Provide a personal, professional relationship tailored to each student's needs.
• Support students through critical stages such as pre arrival, induction and key study transitions.
• Advise on university systems and processes: finance, mitigating circumstances, registration, progression, conduct and disability adjustments.
• Resolve issues directly, signpost or refer to specialist support, and manage urgent or complex health and wellbeing concerns.
• Engage with broader student support services and Personal Tutors/Academic Advisors.
• Communicate relevant information to appropriate staff.
• Use management information to identify at risk students, facilitate advice and track interventions.

Supporting Wider Student Community

• Encourage student engagement, community feeling and opportunities for learning and broader experience.
• Contribute to the development of a holistic support system, aligning with Personal Tutors, Academic Advisors and peer support.
• Identify common issues affecting student groups and propose solutions.
• Meet regularly with academic staff to stay updated on developments.
• Carry out any other duties as required by the Manager of the Student Advisor team.

Other Tasks

• Assist with student enrolment events, graduation ceremonies and the Student Helpline.
• Undertake duties as required by the Global Director of Student Experience, Academic Registrar or Head of Student Life.

Person Specification Essential

1. First degree level education or equivalent practical experience.
2. Experience in a student facing support role in a similar environment.
3. Competent in relevant IT packages.
4. Analytical and problem solving skills.
5. Well developed interpersonal skills.
6. Excellent customer service skills.
7. Ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, pressured environment.
8. Professional and proactive approach.

Desirable

1. Experience in Higher Education.
2. Experience advising students.
3. Experience collaborating with multi location teams.

Application Deadline

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Thursday 30 April 2026.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Heriot Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to creating an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the basis of merit and ability. Equality and diversity are fundamental to the university's culture, and the university welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under represented groups.