Postgraduate Research Experience Survey

• My supervisor/s have the skills and subject knowledge to support my research
• I have regular contact with my supervisor/s, appropriate for my needs
• My supervisor/s provide feedback that helps me direct my research activities
• My supervisor/s help me to identify my training and development needs as a researcher
  
  

• I have a suitable working space when I am on campus
• I have a suitable working space when I am studying remotely
• There is appropriate access to physical library resources and facilities
• There is appropriate access to online library resources
• There is appropriate access to IT resources and facilities when I am on-campus
• I have access to the specialist resources necessary for my research (for example, equipment, facilities, software, materials)  when I am on campus
• I have access to the specialist resources necessary for my research (for example, course materials, software, virtual learning environment)  when I am studying remotely
  
  

• I have access to a good range of seminars in my research area
• I have frequent opportunities to discuss my research with other researchers including research students
• The research community in my research area influences my work
• I am aware of opportunities to become involved in the wider research community, beyond my department
  
  

• I feel part of a community of postgraduate research students
• I feel a sense of belonging at my institution
• There are sufficient opportunities to interact with other postgraduate research students

• I received an appropriate induction to my research degree programme
• I understand the requirements and deadlines for formal monitoring of my progress
• I understand the required standard for my thesis
• The final assessment procedures for my degree are clear to me
  
  

• My institution values and responds to feedback from research degree students
• I understand my responsibilities as a research degree student
• I am aware of my supervisors' responsibilities towards me as a research degree student
• Other than my supervisor/s, I know who to approach if I am concerned about any aspect of my degree programme
  
  

• The support for academic skills meets my needs (for example, support for your writing, language, subject-specific skills)
• The support for using IT and accessing resources meets my needs (for example, support with accessing online journals and e-books, using digital learning tools/apps)
• The support for my health and wellbeing meets my needs (for example, personal tutor, student support and counselling services)
  
  

• My skills in applying appropriate research methodologies, tools and techniques have developed during my programme
• My skills in critically analysing and evaluating findings and results have developed during my programme
• My confidence to be creative or innovative has developed during my programme
• My understanding of 'research integrity' (e.g. rigour, ethics, transparency, attributing the contribution of others) has developed during my programme
  
  

• My ability to manage projects has developed during my programme
• My ability to communicate information effectively to diverse audiences has developed during my programme
• I have developed contacts or professional networks during my programme
• I have increasingly managed my own professional development during my programme
  
  

• Agreeing a personal training or development plan
• Receiving training to develop my research skills
• Receiving training to develop my transferable skills
• Receiving advice on career options
• Taking part in a placement or internship
• Attending an academic research conference
• Presenting a paper or poster at an academic research conference
• Submitting a paper for publication in an academic journal or book
• Communicating your research to a non-academic audience
• Engagement with non-academic partners - e.g. in industry or elsewhere
• Coaching and/or mentoring
  
  

• Overall, I am satisfied with the experience of my research degree programme
• I am confident that I will complete my research degree programme within my institution's expected timescale
• What has been the one most positive aspect of your research degree programme so far?
• What, if anything, is the one top area in which your experience of your research degree programme so far could be improved?
  
  

What type of career do you have in mind for when you complete your research degree?

• Academic career in higher education (either research and teaching, or teaching only)
• Research career in higher education
• Research career outside higher education (e.g. in a private research organisation, a charity or in an industrial environment)
• Teaching (at a level below higher education)
• Any other professional career
• Self-employment (including setting up own business)
• Returning to or remaining with employer who is sponsoring your degree
• Returning to or remaining with employer who is not sponsoring your degree
• Not sure or not decided yet
• Other (Please specify)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that…?

• As a result of my research degree programme I feel better prepared for my future career