The Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)
, 902kb)The PRES is conducted annually involving the majority (85 institutions in 2008/9) of Higher Education Institutions within the UK. Research students in these institutions participate in the survey by email and the survey is coordinated by the Higher Education Academy. The survey deals with all relevant aspects of students’ experience as postgraduates, but most importantly: supervision, skills development, infrastructure, intellectual climate, goals and standards and thesis examination. The key findings in the latest PRES report (2008/9) for the University of York is as follows:
For supervision: York scored better than the national average. On skills development, York students rated skills development as either good or excellent. On infrastructure, York students are happy with the technical support provided. On intellectual climate, York students feel part of the department community and that there is a more stimulating research ambience than identified at national level. On goals and standards, most felt they understand the standard of the work expected. On thesis examination. York students are happy with the help they received in preparing for their viva.
The results of the survey carried out by the research students in the Department of Physics show the Department scoring highly in the overall experience of the research programme. There is appropriate financial support of research activities, provision of social contact with other research students, involvement in a broader research culture, encouragement to reflect on professional development needs, response to feedback, opportunity to do some teaching while doing research and access to appropriate facilities.