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EducationISCO 2359

Academic support officer

An academic support officer is a person who helps students with problems in their studies and acts as their main point of contact at the institution.

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Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

assist in the organisation of school events

show consideration for student's situation

manage access programmes

tutor students

recruit student ambassador

About academic support officer

The work consists in conversation and in practical support. The officer advises students on their studies, listens actively and shows understanding of their situation. The officer helps both students who struggle with a subject and those whose results suffer for personal reasons.

For students who are underperforming, the officer arranges additional teaching, coordinating educational programmes and catch-up provision. Knowing the curriculum objectives and the assessment processes, the officer can show what a student still needs for a pass and agree with the student how to catch up.

The officer also runs social activities across the whole academic year: meetings, social events, workshops and extracurricular activities, which the officer supervises. The officer appoints student representatives and works with them when planning these activities. Students' rights, assessment deadlines and the appeals procedure are set in each institution's regulations, and the officer helps students find their way through them.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a academic support officer.

1

Student Assessment and Needs Identification

  • Assess students to identify academic, personal, and learning-related challenges
  • Identify educational needs and develop tailored support plans
  • Show consideration for each student's unique situation and circumstances
2

Direct Student Support and Tutoring

  • Tutor students in subject areas where they need additional academic support
  • Counsel students on academic strategies, time management, and study skills
  • Support student wellbeing by listening actively and demonstrating empathy
3

Program Coordination and Organization

  • Coordinate and oversee educational programs and extra-curricular activities
  • Organize social activities and events throughout the academic year to build community
  • Manage access programmes and ensure equitable participation opportunities
4

Project Management and Reporting

  • Manage project timelines and deliverables for support initiatives and programs
  • Write work-related reports documenting student progress and program outcomes
  • Track and report on curriculum objectives and program effectiveness metrics
5

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

  • Communicate effectively with students, parents, faculty, and institutional staff
  • Recruit and train student ambassadors to support peer mentoring initiatives
  • Build relationships and coordinate efforts across different academic and support departments
6

Barrier Removal and Progress Support

  • Tackle issues and obstacles that block academic progress and student advancement
  • Advocate for students with academic or personal difficulties within institutional systems
  • Ensure students have access to necessary resources and support networks

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (19)

project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.show consideration for student's situationshow consideration for student's situationTake students' personal backgrounds into consideration when teaching, showing empathy and respect.manage access programmesmanage access programmesMonitor and regulate the access courses offered to underrepresented students to develop their skills to prepare them for university. Analyse the efficiency of these educational programmes and apply ch...tutor studentstutor studentsProvide private, supplementary instruction to students individually to enhance their learning. Support and mentor students who struggle with a certain subject or who have learning difficulties.recruit student ambassadorrecruit student ambassadorAssess, recruit, and train new student ambassadors who act as a link between the educational institution and other communities.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...identify education needsidentify education needsIdentify the needs of students, organisations and companies in terms of provision of education in order to aid in the development of curricula and education policies.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...coordinate educational programmescoordinate educational programmesPlan and coordinate educational and public outreach programs such as workshops, tours, lectures and classes.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...support children's wellbeingsupport children's wellbeingProvide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.communicate with youthcommunicate with youthUse verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, p...oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.counsel studentscounsel studentsProvide assistance to students with educational, career-related or personal issues such as course selection, school adjustment en social integration, career exploration and planning, and family proble...tackle issues that block academic progresstackle issues that block academic progressAddress the issues that can block a pupil`s school progress, such as social, psychological, emotional or physical difficulties, through counselling and intervention methods.assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...cooperate with education professionalscooperate with education professionalsCommunicate with teachers or other professionals working in education in order to identify needs and areas of improvement in education systems, and to establish a collaborative relationship.
Optional (14) — show
customer servicecustomer serviceProcesses and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer's or service user's satisfaction.communicationcommunicationThe exchange and conveying of information, ideas, concepts, thoughts, and feelings through the use of a shared system of words, signs, and semiotic rules via a medium.education laweducation lawThe area of law and legislation that concerns education policies and the people working in the sector in an (inter)national context, such as teachers, students, and administrators.learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.university proceduresuniversity proceduresThe inner workings of a university, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.electronic communicationelectronic communicationData communication performed through digital means such as computers, telephone or e-mail.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...provide information on study programmesprovide information on study programmesProvide information on the different lessons and fields of study offered by educational institutions such as universities and secondary schools, as well as the study requirements and employment prospe...teach university classteach university classInstruct university students in the theory and practice of a certain subject or field taught by an assistant lecturer or professor with the aim of enriching their knowledge.promote education coursepromote education courseAdvertise and market the programme or class you teach to potential students and the education organisation where you teach with the aim of maximising registration numbers and allocated budget.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...promote social awarenesspromote social awarenessPromote the understanding of dynamics of social relationships between individuals, groups, and communities. Promote the importance of human rights, and positive social interaction, and the inclusion o...liaise with educational staffliaise with educational staffCommunicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with th...school psychologyschool psychologyThe study of human behaviour and performance with respect to various school processes, the learning needs of young individuals, and the psychological tests accompanying this field of study.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an academic support officer do?

Academic support officers provide assistance to students with learning problems and act as the main point of contact for these students. They make sure extra tuition and educational programmes are provided to under-represented students with academic or personal issues. They also organise several social activities throughout the academic year.

What skills does an academic support officer need?

An academic support officer needs 19 essential skills, including project management, curriculum objectives, assist in the organisation of school events, show consideration for student's situation, manage access programmes.

Will AI replace academic support officer jobs?

The AI disruption score for academic support officer is 16/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: electronic communication, provide information on study programmes, write work-related reports. Most resilient: support children's wellbeing, listen actively, show consideration for student's situation.

Quick Facts

SectorEducation
ISCO GroupTeaching professionals
Essential Skills19

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