The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) enables us to gather important information about the experience of taught postgraduate student on a Masters, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma course. It is developed and delivered in partnership with AdvanceHE and JISC.
The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is the only UK higher education sector-wide survey to gain insight from taught postgraduate students about their learning and teaching experience.
What will I be asked?
You’ll be asked to rate the following series of questions with a score of 1 to 5. When answering questions please consider all your experiences at University of Staffordshire, from the day you joined us right through to the present day.
Teaching and Learning
- Teaching staff are good at explaining things
- Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching
- The course is intellectually stimulating
- The course has enhanced my academic ability
- The learning materials provided on my course are useful
- There is sufficient academic contact time (in-person or virtual/online) between staff and students to support effective learning
- I am happy with the support for my learning I receive from staff on my course
Engagement
- I am encouraged to asl questions or make contributions (in-person or virtual/online)
- The course has created sufficient opportunities to discuss my work with other students (in-person or virtual/online)
- My course has challenged me to produce my best work
- The workload on my course has been manageable
- I have appropriate opportunities to give feedback on my experience
Community
- I feel part of a community of postgraduate taught students
- I feel a sense of belonging at my institution
- There are sufficient opportunities to interact with other postgraduate taught students
Assessment and Feedback
- The criteria used in marketing have been made clear in advance
- Assessment arrangements and making have been fair
- Feedback on my work has been provided on time
- Feedback on my work (written oral) has helped my learning
Dissertation or Major Project - [where applicable]
- I understand the required standards for the dissertation/major project
- I am happy with the support received for planning my dissertation/major project (topic selection, project outline, literature search, etc)
- My supervisor/advisor has the skills and subject knowledge to adequately support my dissertation / major project
- My supervisor/advisor provides helpful feedback on my progress
End-point assessment - [where applicable]
- I understand the requirements of my end-point assessment (EPA)
- Teaching staff have supported my preparations for my end-point assessment (EPA)
- My employer has supported my preparations for my end-point assessment (EPA)
Organisation and management
- The timetable fits well with my other commitments
- Any changes in the course or teaching have been communicated effectively
- The course is well organised and is running smoothly
- I was given appropriate guidance and support throughout my course
- I am encouraged to be involved in decisions about how my course is run
On-campus Resources - [where applicable]
- There is appropriate access to physical library resources and facilities
- There is appropriate access to IT resources and facilities when I am on campus
- I have been able to access subject specific resources (for example: equipment, facilities, software, materials) necessary for my studies when I am on campus
Online Learning Resources
- There is appropriate access to online library resources
- I have been able to access subject specific resources (for example: course materials, software, virtual learning environment) necessary for my studies when I am learning remotely
- I have been able to make effective use of the online learning platform
Support
- 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)
Skills Development
- As a result of the course, I have developed my skills as an independent learner
- My confidence to be innovative or creative has developed during my course
- My research skills have developed during my course
- My ability to communicate information effectively to diverse audiences has developed during my course
- I have been encouraged to think about what skills I need to develop for my career
- As a result of the course I feel better prepared for my future career
Overview
- Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course
Welfare Resources and Facilities
- There is sufficient provision of welfare and student services to meet my needs.
- When needed, the information and advice offered by welfare and student services had been helpful.
Learning Outcomes
- I feel part of a group of students committed to learning.
- I have been able to explore academic interests with other students.
- I have learned to explore ideas confidently.
- Within my course, I feel my suggestions and ideas are valued.
- I feel part of an academic community in my college or university.
Employability and Skills
- My Higher Education experience has helped me plan for my future career.
- My institution offered activities and resources designed to prepare me for the next step in my career.
- The skills I have developed during my time in Higher Education will be useful for my future career.
Satisfaction
- I'm satisfied with my experience at University of Staffordshire.