Research Support at Northampton is number one according to our students

The University of Northampton’s Postgraduate Research Community has celebrated their research experience and support in the most recent student satisfaction survey, the Postgraduate Research Survey (PRES) 2020.

The PRES is a global survey of postgraduate research students’ experience organised by Advance HE which invites students to comment on their research programme, learning and supervision. This year the University of Northampton has been ranked first for overall satisfaction, and in the top 10 across all areas of focus in the survey.

Dr Cathy Smith, Dean of Research, Impact and Innovation at the University of Northampton said: “I’m delighted that based on our postgraduate students’ feedback, we are ranked first in the UK for overall satisfaction, resources and responsibilities, as well as performing strongly, within the top 10 across all areas of the survey.

“I would like to thank everybody within the postgraduate research community at the University who took part in the survey. This is testimony to the wonderful support our postgraduate students get from the Graduate School and their supervisors. I would also like to thank the Graduate School and our supervisors for the fantastic support and guidance they give to our postgraduate students.

“This year the survey was conducted with all of us experiencing the impact of COVID-19 and in lockdown, and I know how hard the Graduate School and supervisors worked to minimise the impact on our students. We learn from each survey and we will use this most recent one to further enhance how we support our students to succeed. “

This year the University was recognised for the support it gives research students in their professional development. Alongside project supervision and subject-related development, our students take part in an extensive Postgraduate Research Skills Development Programme. The programme is multi-stranded, providing the skills needed to support and complete a research degree successfully, as well as those needed to be a proficient researcher and wider guidance for their future careers.

Ahmed Basil, PhD Researcher and Vice President of Postgraduate Research at the University of Northampton Students’ Union said: “Being ranked first in the UK for overall satisfaction is an outstanding achievement for the postgraduate community at Northampton. I am proud to see my fellow colleagues giving such positive feedback which express great progress that is presented in a continuous upwards trajectory towards success and achievement.”