Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)

What is the PRES?

The PRES is a national survey run by designed to explore postgraduate research students’ (PGRs) experiences of their programme, and their professional development as a researcher. The PRES is for any PGR student at the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥, including distance learning students.

The survey helps us to know what is working well, and areas where we can improve the student experience for our PGRs.

The survey asks questions about:

  • supervision

  • resources

  • research culture

  • community

  • progression

  • responsibilities

  • support

  • research skills

  • professional development

 

PRES 2023 Results

PRES23 Infographic

ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ was one of 105 institutions taking part in the survey. 

  • 87% of postgraduate research students were satisfied with their research programme overall.
  • In 2023, the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ was ranked in the top quarter of institutions for several areas of the student experience including supervision, resources, support, research skills and professional development.
  • Our postgraduate researchers were particularly positive about research supervision, with 94% of students agreeing that their supervisors have the skills and subject knowledge to support their research.
  • Worcester was ranked 1st for professional development and 2nd for research skill development - 93% of our students agreed that their ability to communicate their research had developed throughout their time at Worcester.

The PRES runs every other year. The next survey period will be March - May 2025.

What happens to the results?

The results are used by the Doctoral School, academic schools, and institutionally to identify areas where we perform well, and where we can make improvements to the PGR experience. The results are also benchmarked against the Higher Education Sector and Universities with a similar PGR population to Worcester.

Useful Links

  • Find out more about PRES on the 
  • Read the AdvanceHE on the results of PRES 2023