University of the Highlands and Islands rated highly by postgraduate students
The University of the Highlands and Islands has been rated as one of the top universities in the UK for postgraduate students. Student satisfaction with the university’s postgraduate programmes is higher than ever according to two new sector-wide surveys.
The university received a score of 89% student satisfaction in the 2019 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey. This is 9% higher than the average for Scottish higher education institutions and 5% higher than the university’s 2017 result. The result places the university tenth out of the 84 higher education institutions which took part in the survey.
Coordinated by Advance HE, the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey is a UK-wide measure of the experiences of students on taught postgraduate university programmes. It provides students with an opportunity to provide feedback on areas including learning and teaching, assessment and feedback, and organisation and management. Over 250 students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership completed this year’s survey.
Dr Iain Morrison, Dean of Students, commented: “These wonderful results show that our students are extremely happy with our postgraduate taught programmes. To be so far ahead of the Scottish sector shows that our expert, hard-working staff understand the needs of students at this level and are providing an exceptional experience that should make our university the destination of choice for anyone undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters degree.”
The university has also been rated highly in a survey of postgraduate research students. Advance HE’s Postgraduate Research Experience Survey gathers feedback from students on Masters by Research and PhD programmes in areas including supervision, resources and skills and professional development. The university received a score of 85% student satisfaction, placing it fourteenth out of 103 institutions across the UK. It was rated number one in the UK for student satisfaction on science, technology, engineering and maths programmes.
Dr Mary Doherty, Head of Postgraduate Research Development, said: “We are delighted to see that our research students feel we are providing an enriched experience. They were incredibly positive about the resources available from our academic partners and research centres and about the support they receive from research supervision staff. The survey also highlights that our part-time students and distance learners feel particularly supported. Our university provides a unique environment to explore some of the big challenges faced by society and for our students to make a real impact on the world.”
Find out more about the postgraduate courses available at Perth College UHI here.
Case Study
Julie Cromarty (44) from, Inverness, is studying for MBA in aviation on a part-time basis through Perth College UHI. She said:
“I completed a BA in business after I left school and have always wanted to do a Masters. This particular course appealed to me as it allows me to build on my previous business degree and combine it with 24 years of practical business experience in several different industries, primarily aviation.
“The online learning is great and so flexible. It allows me to work my full-time job around my study. My course leader is very helpful and there is no better place to study than the Highlands and Islands, surrounded by the most fantastic scenery.
“I believe my studies will help to further my career with the industry I am in or open doors to new opportunities such as starting my own business. I would advise anyone considering postgraduate study to sign up as it is brilliant and you are never too old to continue learning and challenging yourself!”