Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)

The 2026 PRES will launch on Wednesday 11 February 2026 and close on Wednesday 25 March 2026.

Feedback from PRES is carefully reviewed by the Graduate School and Research and Postgraduate Office, and this informs a range of actions we are taking to improve the research environment and experience for current and future postgraduate research students. 

Your feedback is important to us. The results are used to: 

• identify areas where the PGR experience can be improved 

• inform changes to training, support and communication 

• monitor progress and ensure that agreed actions are taken forward 

As a result of feedback received in 2024/25, several key areas for improvement were identified. Some actions have now been completed, while others are currently being embedded or developed further. Check out the information below on he actions we implemented and what are still workign towards.

1. Supervision 

You asked for greater clarity and consistency around supervisors' awareness of expectations, rules and regulations across the PhD journey. 

In response, the 'Supervising Doctoral Students: Being a Good PhD Supervisor' session has been delivered as part of the mandatory Staff Research Development Programme. Clear guidance, including FAQs and a practical quick-reference guide, has also been developed and will be available on the Staff Zone to support supervisors in practice. 

2. Online and library resources 

You raised concerns about the accessibility of some online library resources and awareness of the interlibrary loan offer. 

In response, support available from Academic Liaison Librarians has been actively promoted, and awareness of the 'Request-It' app (an interlibrary loan service) has been increased. Information on both forms of support is now clearly signposted via a Weblearn announcement. 

3. Research culture 

You asked for more opportunities to discuss your research with the wider research community. 

In response, alongside regular Coffee Mornings, School- and Centre-organised events, and the Student and Staff Research Conference, a Research Student Showcase has been piloted as part of the PGR Training Programme. Initial feedback suggests that this has provided a supportive space for research students to share their work and engage with a wider audience. Planning is currently underway for a second Research Student Showcase. 

4. Community and belonging 

You highlighted a need for a better a low sense of community and limited connection between new students and more experienced research students. 

In response, current students and recent graduates have been invited to take part as speakers at Coffee Mornings. In addition, current PhD students have been invited to share their experiences during Induction Day. These activities help to support peer connections across different stages of the research journey and strengthen a sense of community among PGR students. 

5. Feedback and student/staff responsibilities 

You asked for clearer information on how feedback is used and who to contact for support. 

In response, the PRES action plan has been shared via Doctoral Studies announcements. A 'Key Contacts' section has also been included in Student and Supervisor Handbooks 25/26 and induction materials to make sources of support clearer. 

6. Research skills development 

You asked for more training in creativity and innovation in research, advanced data analysis methods, and support with transitioning beyond the research degree.  

In response, PGR training sessions are planned and communicated well in advance to support engagement, and the training provision includes a dedicated 'Creativity in Research' session delivered in Term 1 2025/26. Information about these sessions is made available through public-facing webpages, the Student Zone, and the Doctoral Studies Weblearn, and is also included in the Weekly Events Digest. In addition, an announcement and access link are circulated in advance of each session. 

7. Communication and key dates 

You asked for clearer communication at the start of the academic year, particularly in relation to key dates and submission timescales. 

In response, key dates are updated to reflect public-facing academic term dates and are clearly signposted on the website and in Weblearn announcements at the start of the 2025/26 academic year. 

Some actions identified through PRES 2024/25 are ongoing or will continue into the 2025/26 academic year, in line with the published Action Plan. These include: 

1. Community and belonging 

Online Coffee Mornings will be delivered in Term 2 of 2025/26 to support connections between new and more experienced PGR students. 

2. Research skills development 

Further PGR training sessions remain ongoing, including advanced research methods and data analysis techniques, as well as sessions supporting the transition from research student to academia or industry. These sessions are being delivered across Terms 2 and 3 in 2025/26 in line with the PGR Training Programme.  

In addition, guidance on recommended recorded sessions for Years 1, 2, and 3 will be made available in Term 2 of the 2025/26 academic year. 

We value the time you take to share your experiences through PRES. Feedback continues to inform our work, and updates will be shared as actions are further embedded across the academic year. Thank you for your time and cooperation! 

Your survey response is confidential to the team processing the results, and no reporting outside of this team will identify any individual. Any results communicated to teaching staff will be anonymised.

The survey asks that any comments you make should not identify yourself or any specific members of staff.

If you are unsure about anything to do with the survey, please speak to your supervisors or email the Research and Postgraduate Office Team.

You can also visit Advance HE for more details.

Over 83% of students who completed PRES said that they were satisfied with their experience of doing a research degree programme.