Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2015: UCL results

The results of the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) 2015 are now available on the

grad.ucl.ac.uk/survey/" target="_self">Doctoral School's website.

The PRES was conducted for the first time this year at UCL and our response rate was a respectable 36%, which is in line with the average London university response rate, while the sector average is 40%. We are hoping to do even better in future years.

Compared with the sector, UCL's doctoral students were most satisfied with their access to specialist resources for their research (84%), with 88% of respondents satisfied with the provision of library facilities. More than 75% of the students surveyed were happy with their department's seminar programme.

There were, however, some disappointing figures, with only 72% of students agreeing that they have suitable working space, and only 75% of students agreeing that there is adequate provision of computer resources and facilities.

What happens now?

UCL's 11 faculties have been tasked by the Doctoral School with discussing their own data and identifying three key improvements in relation to the feedback. Professional Services departments (such as ISD, UCL Libraries and Organisational Development, who administer the Doctoral Skills Development Programme) have also been asked to respond to the results with a plan for improvements.

The Doctoral School will be discussing the results with the Postgraduate Sabbatical Officer of the UCLU and will ask for their views on priorities, and will also ensure that results feed into institutional-level doctoral strategy.

Professor David Bogle, UCL Pro Vice-Provost of the Doctoral School, said: 

"This is the first time we have taken part in PRES, having had our own survey in the past. Now, this allows us to benchmark against other universities. The results show we have an excellent research training environment, of which we are proud. 

"We do wish to be in the top group of universities across all of the areas surveyed and have some work to do to put us there. We will be working with each faculty, the UCLU and the Postgraduate Students Association to seek action plans to achieve this."

Links

• Postgraduate Research Experience Survey: 2015 full results

PRES (Postgraduate Research Experience Survey) is a biennial national survey, co-ordinated by the national body for improving teaching and learning in universities, the Higher Education Academy.