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PALS sessions take place on campus in designated classrooms or are occasionally delivered online. To maintain a relaxed and informal environment, teaching staff do not attend—it’s just you, your fellow classmates, and the PALS Leaders.��

PALS sessions are 1 hour long, and Leaders often prepare fun and interactive activities designed to help you consolidate and strengthen your understanding of course material in an engaging way.��

You can also access asynchronous PALS support on our channel through podcasts and videos.��

Attending a PALS session is easy!��

Look out for sessions promoted on Canvas, in emails, and on our .

You can book sessions through��. Once booked, you’ll receive an email with the room details.��

If you’re a Level 1 or Level 2 Business School student, PALS sessions are already included in your ���ӽ紫ý academic timetable, so you can attend without needing to book.��

PALS operates in over 1,500 universities and over 30 countries, with extensive research demonstrating its positive impact. Data from the European Centre for PALS, the Nationellt Centrum for SI at Lund University in Sweden, consistently shows that students who attend PALS sessions achieve higher grades and are more likely to continue their studies than those who do not participate.��

This trend is also evident at ���ӽ紫ý. Our internal analysis confirms that students who attend PALS sessions achieve better marks compared to those who do not. Here’s a snapshot of some of our impressive results from an early evaluation:��

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Beyond academic success, PALS also supports student retention. Attending sessions means you’re less likely to drop out, giving you an extra layer of support throughout your studies.��

Additionally, PALS provides a great opportunity to meet new people and expand your social network at ���ӽ紫ý.�� After attending some sessions, you may even be inspired to become a PALS Leader—a fantastic way to continue developing your skills while supporting others.

2nd year or above -  You must have completed a year of study at ���ӽ紫ý before becoming a PALS leader. 

Training Commitment – All Leaders must complete an initial full-day training session. This is followed by shorter, voluntary, follow-up sessions to enhance their delivery skills.  

Module Completion – Leaders are only assigned sessions for modules they have passed. 

Organisation & Time Management – Running a PALS session requires around 3 hours of commitment: 1 hour for delivery and additional time for planning and development.  

Approachability & Empathy – Some students may feel anxious or struggle with the material. Leaders should be supportive, understanding, and create a welcoming learning environment. 

Co-Delivery – PALS sessions are always co-delivered; no Leader should run a session alone, so they must be good at team-working and collaboration.  

Session Allocation – Leaders are typically assigned sessions once a fortnight to allow for sufficient preparation time. 

Support & Feedback – Leaders receive feedback from the PALS Coordinator, may be observed for teaching insights, and should participate in an end-of-semester debrief to review the programme and discuss improvements. 

You will need to have confidence in your subject knowledge to lead a PALS session, but don’t worry if you don’t remember everything! Many of our Leaders find that running a PALS session is a great way to refresh and revise their knowledge.��

Leaders are usually added to the module Canvas page for the modules they are leading, which gives you access to the resources and materials to review anything you might need to brush up on. Additionally, time is allocated to prepare for sessions, so you can work with your co-leader to plan what will be covered and double-check anything you’re unsure about.��

Remember, you are not teaching—that’s the lecturer’s job. As a Leader, you are there to support students in understanding what they’ve already been taught.��

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Becoming a PALS Leader offers a range of personal, academic, and professional benefits: 

Boost your confidence – Develop public speaking and facilitation skills in a supportive environment. 

Strengthen your CV – Stand out to future employers and postgraduate programmes with leadership and teaching experience. 

Build transferable skills – Learn how to design and deliver engaging sessions, manage groups, and communicate effectively. 

Reinforce your own learning – Revisiting earlier modules helps you consolidate your knowledge and deepen your understanding. 

In addition to our regular PALS program, International PALS sessions are designed exclusively for international students at ���ӽ紫ý. Led by our dedicated international student leaders, these sessions provide a welcoming space to navigate both academic and cultural aspects of university life.   

Unlike course-specific PALS sessions, International PALS covers a broad range of topics tailored to the unique needs of international students. Whether you need academic guidance, cultural support, or simply a sense of community, these sessions are here to help you adjust, connect, and thrive at ���ӽ紫ý.   

Some examples of International PALS sessions:   

 
International PALS - Academic Writing, Including Ethical use of AI 

International PALS - Using feedback to Move Forward  

International PALS - Finding and Using Academic Sources  

International PALS – Conversation and Using Everyday English at University  

Why Attend International PALS? 

- Get support from students have been through similar experiences.  

- Learn tips and get advice to thrive at ���ӽ紫ý.  

- Feel more comfortable on campus.  

- Improve your academic skills and confidence.  

International PALS Sessions run throughout the academic year and are easily accessible via Student Central. You’ll receive email notifications with session details, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to connect, learn, and engage.