The Best Universities for Postgraduate Student Experiences?

When searching for the perfect university for your Masters, it can be difficult deciding upon the best option.

Postgraduate rankings can give you some idea of the quality of courses. But what will studying your Masters actually be like?

Well, thanks to a new student experience survey published by Times Higher Education, you may be able to get some idea.

More than 15,000 undergraduate students were asked rate the experience at their universities according to a number of factors. These included the quality of their academic experience, the facilities available and the opportunities to work with industry.

Many of these indicators also matter to students on taught Masters programmes. In this blog we’ve taken a look at the best performing UK universities and explained how you can use the student experience survey as a prospective postgraduate.

Over 100 universities featured in this year’s Student Survey – so you certainly won’t be short of options when searching for your Masters.

We can’t possibly tackle all of them here, so we’ve given you a breakdown of the top 10 institutions for 2017:

Harper Adams University is certainly an interesting candidate for the number one spot, as it’s only the second year that this institution has been featured!

Two prior holders of the number one spot, Loughborough University and the University of Sheffield, still take up the top 3. So, we’ve certainly got some consistent high-ranking institutions here.

If you’d like to understand more about the rankings, you can read up on the methodologies used for these attributes on THE’s website.

Though the survey asked for undergraduate student opinions, we’d suggest that some of the ratings given here provide a useful indication of an institution’s postgraduate capabilities, too.

This is especially because for the first time this year, the results have been grouped into seven attribute categories of student experience.

So, not only can you see which universities came out on top overall, you can also find out which universities did best based on:

• academic experience
• university facilities
• societal experience
• student welfare
• accommodation
• industry connections
• security

The attributes presented here should certainly be some of the ones you consider before taking the step from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

But why are these attributes important to postgraduate students?

We’ve take a closer look below.

From finding the perfect supervisor to making the most of your Masters, a well-rounded academic experience is essential as a postgraduate.

After all, postgraduate study is challenging, and it shouldn’t be made more difficult by a lack of academic ability from your lecturers.

Whether you are studying a taught or research Masters, you will benefit highly from the expertise and reputation for your department.

Engaging material, well-structured modules and a good relationship with teaching staff will all aid your postgraduate pursuits.

University facilities aren’t simply having a decent library and a good student bar – although these are, of course, a good start.

Being able to make the most of your university’s resources might also departmental facilities. This could include the opportunity to attend conferences or make use of specified postgraduate study spaces.

A great careers service is also a necessity as a postgraduate. Not only are they a means for finding part-time work during your studies, they’re also a way of securing your ideal job when your graduate.

A good university careers service will offer you the opportunity to continue using the service for at least a year after you graduate.

Knowing that your university has excellent facilities – whether that’s for sports, lab work, reading or societies – is a good indicator that you’ll have an all-round great postgraduate experience.

For many postgraduates, the students’ union is the central hub for social affairs of all kinds.

Indeed, joining a student society and taking part in postgraduate events is one means through which many postgraduates meet other people. It’s also a way to take up hobbies for interests you might not otherwise pursue.

When a university has a particularly strong students’ union, they generally benefit from higher rankings.

After all, although your focus as a postgraduate is to study, this isn’t all you’ll be doing.

A good community atmosphere and access to extra-curricular activities is a sure-fire way to study alongside like-minded individuals, and enrich your university experience.

Student welfare covers all aspects of your wellbeing, from your physical health and mental welfare to studying support.

Postgraduate study can at times be very stressful and demanding – if you become ill or begin to struggle with your studies, you should always have somebody to turn to.

Managing Masters study with a disability or illness is also something that your university should be able to support you with.

As long as you feel that your personal requirements are being catered for, you have nothing to worry about here.

Many universities offer accommodation specifically designated for postgraduate students.

Whether its shared housing for postgrad-only students, or halls of residence away from the hustle and bustle, your university should be able to provide a good place for you to live.

After all, Masters courses require study all-year-round – so you’ll need a letting which includes those summer months spent writing your dissertation.

If you can’t find suitable postgraduate accommodation near the institution at which you wish to study, you may want to reconsider your options.

Great industry connections are an excellent means of gaining experience in your field. They can also provide a chance to create good working relationships for your future career.

A good university department will offer plenty of opportunities for you to take on internships or placements which are relevant to your Masters.

Opportunities for study abroad might also be a good way of gaining professional expertise. For example, Erasmus+ offers many paid student traineeships every year through select institutions.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, make sure your university is offering it!

Security isn’t always the first thing you might be considering as a postgraduate student, but it’s also important.

Not only do you want your campus and accommodation to feel secure, you also want a sense that your academic and personal pursuits are secure as well.

If your university offers safe transport systems, a network of security staff around university and union buildings, and safe areas which you know you can use at any time, you’re all set.