OU ranked fifth for research student satisfaction

The OU has been ranked fifth out of 103 higher education institutions for overall postgraduate research student satisfaction in the national survey of research students.

According to the national Postgraduate Researcher Experience Survey (PRES) 2019, run every two years, which collated responses from 188 of OU PhD and Professional Doctorate students and asked them about their experience of their research degree programme, including supervision, resources, community, progression and skills/professional development:

• 87% are satisfied with their research degree programme: 6% higher than sector average
• We are in the highest quartile for progression
• We came first in overall satisfaction among BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) research students and for progression, research skills and professional development among this group
• We came first for supervision and professional development in the Physical Sciences
• We came first for research skills and research culture in the Biological Sciences

Dr Lindsay O'Dell, OU Graduate School Director, said:

"I'm delighted that OU postgraduate research students have reported an increase in overall satisfaction that puts us in the top five of participating institutions. I would like to thank all the students who took part, giving us feedback that helps us understand what you value about your OU research degree experience, while giving us information about what we can improve in the future. Over the next few months, the OU Graduate School will release a more detailed response to your feedback to show how PRES will feed into our plans."