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Why the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is so important for UCL

4 June 2021

Master’s, PGCE, PGCert and PGDip students are invited to share their feedback via the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES), open until midnight, 17 June 2021.

PTES web image

About the PTES

The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is organised by Advance HE  and is an annual survey for Master’s, PGCE, PGCert and PGDip students at UCL.   

The PTES focuses on students’ experiences regarding teaching and learning, engagement, assessment and feedback, organisation and management, resources and services and skills development. 

Launched on Monday 17 May, the 2021 PTES will run until midnight, 17 June. Eligible students can take part via this survey link.

Why is it important for UCL?  

Student representatives have told us that this opportunity for postgraduate students to give their views is really important.  Gathering feedback from students has been especially crucial this year as they have helped inform us of what is, or is not working well in their Connected Learning experience. 

This year has been a challenging one for all staff and students. Despite huge uncertainty, you’ve worked hard to modify programmes, placements, support and supervision to ensure our PGT students have been able to make the most of their time at UCL.

The PTES will help us understand what we did well, and where we need to focus further effort. A good response rate will ensure our students' input remains at the heart of education planning and continues to drive improvements in the postgraduate experience, so I encourage all colleagues to highlight the value of the PTES and share the survey link with your eligible students. - Professor Deborah Gill, Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience)  

Schools and departments can consider the findings of the PTES as part of the Annual Student Experience Review (ASER) data and develop plans to address issues for future students. 

Departments can then demonstrate how they have acted on PTES feedback in order to improve the student experience. This ties in nicely to the You shaped UCL campaign and helps to show how departments and UCL are closing the loop with student feedback.  

Examples of significant changes at UCL that have been implemented as a result of student feedback include: 

  • The launch of the online Module Catalogue, to help students select modules more easily; 

  • New online events to support students in quarantine or self-isolation, such as guided mindfulness and exercise sessions; 

  • The launch of the Academic Communication Centre, to significantly extend academic writing support for students. 

Not only this, but the feedback gathered from the PTES helps postgraduate students to leave a legacy. The responses they give now will have an important impact on future students at UCL. 

Help support the campaign 

The 2021 campaign to promote the survey is digital-first. Staff can access promotional materials via the Teaching and Learning Portal. Eligible students have received an email with a direct link to the survey and the Student Engagement team have contacted departmental survey liaison officers and Heads of Department to encourage support for the campaign. 

There is also an exciting incentive for penultimate-year students who complete the survey. The top prize on offer is £500 cash followed by an opportunity to win one of 150 £10 Amazon vouchers