The results of the annual Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) saw the University improve on overall satisfaction by almost three per cent, putting Sheffield Hallam eighth out of all universities that participated globally.
Postgraduate students are asked to complete the survey and rate their university experience in areas including research culture, supervision and assessment, resources, and progress and assessment.
The biggest increases in performance were in resources (up 8.5 per cent) and research culture (up 6.4 per cent).
The PRES results come after a series of initiatives to strengthen the University’s doctoral and postgraduate research provision.
The University recently announced it will increase the minimum stipend for PhD students to the take-home equivalent rate of the Real Living Wage, to encourage applications from a broader, inclusive range of people, and welcoming particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
The University is also extending its Vice-Chancellor’s doctoral scholarships scheme offer to up to 200 funded PhDs over the next 3 years. At least one quarter of these PhDs will be co-funded with businesses.
Professor Rory Duncan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation said: “I’m really impressed with the dedication and expertise that supervisors, researchers and superb professional services teams have provided to our post-graduate researcher community throughout some incredibly difficult times for us all.
“Sheffield Hallam has an impressive track record of innovating in doctoral training, and we are doing more than many to enhance the student experience, to open career pathways to diverse communities and to drive new impacts from research and innovation that benefit us all. We are being noticed as leaders in doctoral training and wider PGR support, and that is something we can be proud of. Congratulations to the teams involved.”
