Postgraduate Research Experience Survey
Cardiff University participates in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) run by the Higher Education Academy, which ran in the spring of 2011. One hundred and two UK institutions took part in PRES 2011. With 31,202 students completing the survey, there was a national response rate of 32%. PRES will run again in 2013, giving HEIs the space in 2011-12 to analyse, interpret and act upon their results.
At Cardiff University, 640 students replied, which represents 32% of the enrolled active research students. For the most part, respondents were very positive about their experiences: for example, 85% said the overall experience had met or exceeded their expectations and almost two thirds saying the experience had exceeded their expectations. With reference to development of research and transferable skills, 88% and 87% respectively said their expectations had been met or exceeded, while the same was true for 84% when asked about access to facilities and 80% when asked about the research environment. Overall, the results were as good as or better than the results from the sector as a whole and from the Russell Group benchmark.
The preliminary results were presented to a meeting of PGR representatives in July 2011 and results for individual Schools have been disseminated to the Director of PGR Studies in the School.
Further analysis is taking place to consider the responses of sub sets of students (such as year of study; School; part-time or full-time status; Home, other EU and overseas). Results of this analysis will be considered by the University Graduate College Programme Teams to identify any areas where enhancement is required.
For more info on completing the PRES 2013 Survey, click here.
You can view the HEA Report on the 2011 results here.
Members of Cardiff University can request a full copy of PRES 2011 results by contacting us at UGC@cardiff.ac.uk