1. Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2010 Interim Results Dr Pam Wells Adviser, Evidence-Informed Practice

2. Background Online questionnaire –Based on PRES methodology Voluntary and anonymous –At both institution and student level Second national administration –Larger sample than last year Benchmarking

3. Questionnaire Core survey –Nine main areas of interest –Demographic information Institutional questions –Participating institutions ask as many extra questions as they choose, and design these questions themselves

4. Motivations Quality of teaching and learning Assessment and feedback Dissertation and supervision Organisation and management Learning resources Skills and personal development Career and professional development Overall satisfaction

5. PTES 2010 77 participating HEIs from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Flexible survey period, 15 Feb – 28 May More than 220,000 students surveyed Interim results, 19 April –70 HEIs –17,531 students

6. Participating HEIs 70 institutions contributing interim data –Between 7 and 1,256 responses (0 – 7%) Proportion of dataNumber of HEIs Less than 1%36 Between 1% and 2%18 More than 2%16

7. PTES cohort

8. 43% male, 57% female 64% home, 11% EU, 25% overseas 59% full-time, 39% part-time 74% face-to-face, 26% distance 67% started their programme between 1 Sep and 31 Dec 2009 –Further 18% started in the previous academic year (1.9.08 - 31.8.09)

9. Age of participants

10. Age by mode of study

11. Discipline

12. Employment 51% in paid employment

13. Motivation Main motivations for taking this programme To progress in my current career path (i.e. a professional qualification) 53% To improve my employment prospects53% For personal interest44% To enable me to progress to a higher level qualification (e.g. PhD)33% To change my current career18% As a requirement to enter a particular profession17% To meet the requirements of my current job8% Other4%

14. Motivation Reasons for studying at this particular institution The location of the institution38% The overall reputation of the institution37% The institution’s reputation in my chosen subject area35% Delivery of the programme is flexible enough to fit around my life23% The reputation of the department23% It was recommended to me20% Funding was available to me to study this particular programme17%

15. Motivation Reasons for studying at this particular institution I have studied at this institution before16% Graduates from this institution have good career and employment prospects 14% It is the only institution offering this programme13% The cost of the programme compared to other institutions12% My employer advised or encouraged me to do it8% Other7% The way the programme is assessed6%

16. Quality of teaching and learning 37% said that the teaching quality on their programme was consistently good 53% said that the teaching quality was variable but generally good Only 2% said it was consistently poor

17. Teaching and learning % agree PTES 2009 The course is intellectually stimulating82%84% The teaching and learning methods are effective for this type of programme79%81% I am happy with the teaching support I received from staff on my course70%71% There is sufficient contact time (face to face and/or virtual/online) between staff and students to support effective learning68%67%

18. Staff % agree PTES 2009 Staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching83% Staff are good at explaining things80%83% Staff made the subject interesting76%77%

19. Assessment and feedback % agree PTES 2009 The criteria used in marking have been made clear in advance71%74% Assessment arrangements and marking have been fair71%74% I have received detailed comments (written or oral) on my work65%68% Feedback on my work has helped me clarify things I did not understand57%58% Feedback on my work has been prompt57% I received feedback in time to allow me to improve my next assignment56%57%

20. Dissertation and supervision % agree PTES 2009 My supervisor has the skills and subject knowledge to adequately support my dissertation 76%80% I understand the required standards for the dissertation73%77% My supervisor makes a real effort to understand any difficulties I face 67%70% My supervisor provides helpful feedback on my progress 63%66% I have been given good guidance in topic selection and refinement by my supervisor 63%65% I have received good guidance in my literature search from my supervisor 58%60%

21. Workload 52% said that the workload on their programme was more or less what they expected 31% said it was higher than they expected 11% said it was much higher than they expected

22. Organisation and management % agree PTES 2009 The timetable fits well with my other commitments76%80% Any changes in the programme or teaching have been communicated effectively72%74% The balance of core modules and options is appropriate70% The programme is well organised and is running smoothly69%70% The balance between scheduled contact time and private study is appropriate70%69%

23. Learning resources % agree PTES 2009 I have been able to access general IT resources when I needed to 78% The library resources and services are easily accessible 77% The library resources and services are good enough for my needs 72%75%

24. Learning resources % agree I am satisfied with the quality of learning materials available to me (Print, online material, DVDs, etc.) 75% I have been able to access social learning spaces (e.g. for group working) on campus when I needed to 69% I have been able to access specialised equipment, facilities, or rooms when I needed them 66%

25. Skills and personal development % agree PTES 2009 The programme has developed my research skills77%79% The programme has developed my transferable skills77% As a result of the programme I am more confident about independent learning73%75% As a result of the programme, I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems66% The programme has helped me to present myself with confidence65% As a results of the programme my communication skills have improved63%61%

26. Career and professional development % agree PTES 2009 As a result of this programme, I believe my future employment prospects are better78% I feel better prepared for my future employment72% I am encouraged to reflect on my professional development needs68%69%

27. Overall satisfaction The overall experience of my course met or exceeded my expectations – 84% Quality of teaching and learning met or exceeded my expectations – 82% Assessment and feedback met or exceeded my expectations – 74%

28. Overall satisfaction Organisation and management met or exceeded my expectations – 75% Learning resources met or exceeded my expectations – 87% Career and professional development met or exceeded my expectations – 88% Skills and personal development met or exceeded my expectations – 90%

29. Further analysis Scale analysis Multiple regression Experience of different demographic groups Benchmarking National report

30. Next steps Working with PTES HEIs to share effective practice Using survey findings to inform enhancement activities Stop press: considering another national administration of PTES in 2011 –To be confirmed