The University of Edinburgh has announced plans to spend four million pounds to develop its student support system.

A series of reforms will gradually be introduced from the 2012/2013 academic session aimed at helping students “make the most of their time at Edinburgh”, including the creation of a “personal tutor” for each student and a “buddy system”, which will allow new students to receive help and advice from those who are older and more experienced.

University representatives say that the changing needs of students have prompted the investment, which will be introduced in the same year as tuition fees are increased to nine thousand pounds per year for Rest of UK students.

Dai Hounsell, Vice Principal for Academic Enhancement at the University of Edinburgh, said, “The steps we’re taking will enable us not just to maintain but to enhance the quality of the student experience.

“There is a wider range of students at the University all with different needs, and we need to ensure that the support we’re providing them with makes good use of the most up-to-date strategies and technologies.

“We are aiming to foster even greater interaction between academic staff and students and to help students focus on their future careers.”

The reforms are part of a broader effort to reverse the recent trend of poor student satisfaction results, which in last year’s Complete University Guide saw the University of Edinburgh receive the joint lowest score for student satisfaction in the Russell Group, which represents 20 of the UK’s leading universities.

Personal tutors will focus on helping students “review their academic progress”, use their studies to “pursue their future development”, and “foster in them a sense of belonging to a community of learners”.

Additionally, the University will create the position of “Dean of Students”, and will appoint a “Senior Tutor” for each of the University’s three colleges.