PTES 2018 results: more than 6,000 students shared their views

Overall satisfaction has fallen slightly with 79% of postgraduate taught students happy with their experience at UCL, down from 80% in 2017. PGT students were positive about the teaching at UCL, with 90% agreeing that ‘Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching’ and 87% agreeing ‘Staff are good at explaining things’. Notably, 91% of respondents would recommend UCL to prospective students.

There are very high satisfaction levels for some departments with 100% overall satisfaction for the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, the Institute of Cardiovascular Science and the School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS).  There were also high scores for the Division of Psychiatry (98%) and the Division of Infection and Immunity (95%).

Student Engagement (78%) and Dissertation (79%) questions saw a two percent increase. Scores for Assessment and Feedback (69%), and Organisation and Management (71%) are level with last year and remain the lowest rated areas of PGT satisfaction.

Sector results were sent to faculties and departments earlier this week for their review and dissemination. Departments respond to the results of the Postgraduate Taught Survey by producing an action plan as part of the Annual Student Experience Review (ASER) process. 

Student feedback shaping decision-making

Survey metrics are a key part of measuring student engagement and satisfaction but it is just as important to highlight how student views and ideas are helping to shape UCL in a practical sense.

The Office of the Vice-Provost (Education & Student Affairs) has created‘You Shaped UCL’, a close-the-loop feedback campaign to highlight changes that have happened at UCL due to student feedback, from more study spaces and access to laptops, to a new venue for summer exams.

A range of poster and screensaver templates are also available to help you share with students the changes that have been implemented in your department, institute or faculty as a result of their feedback.

To download the You Shaped UCL templates please visit the Student Engagement section of the UCL Teaching and Learning Portal.

If you have any queries about the PTES results or the You Shaped UCL campaign, please contact student.engagement@ucl.ac.uk.