NUS and the postgraduate student experience

Dr Debbie McVittyResearch & policy officer

(postgraduates)

NUS Postgraduate Campaign

Work with students’ unions- Events & resources on engaging postgrads/PG

education issuesWork with the sector- HEA: PRES/PTES- Vitae: InnovateResearch & policy work- PGR employment survey- PGT finance project

What do we hope to gain from surveying postgrads?

If PRES/PTES are not ‘satisfaction’ surveys, what are they for?

What are the challenges in accessing the postgraduate student voice/experience?

How can PRES/PTES be used to enhance access?What are the limitations of PRES/PTES in

accessing the postgraduate student experience?

‘Identifying the problem’

PTES 2009- Feedback – promptness and clarity- Preparation for higher study- Skills developmentPRES 2009- Professional development and career- Intellectual climate

Understanding motivations/aspirations

PTES 2009Vast majority of PGT students undertake course

for career-related reasons

PRES 2009Mix of interest in subject and research career

aspirations

Representation

NUS believes in the importance of the student voiceFor us, surveys like PRES/PTES are useful only

insofar as they give us an evidence base to campaign for improvements to the student experience.

They are not the whole student voice, but enable that voice to be heard more strongly.

For surveys to be effective students should be engaged in every step of the process

Challenges

The postgraduate voice is……fragmented…individualistic…diverse…time-poor

…and there is not a strong tradition of paying attention to it

Survey results are not ‘transparent’

Engaging students in PRES/PTES

1. Survey design2. Promoting the survey and boosting response

rates3. Building understanding of what surveys

can/can’t demonstrate among students4. Interpreting results – unpacking and elaborating5. Follow-up action plan for enhancement