6.6
Supervision and Feedback for Postgraduate Research Students
Supervision plays an integral part of the learning experience for PGR students. Annex H of the Code of Practice for Research studies states that:
“Department Directors of Graduate Studies Committees are responsible for ensuring that all students have access to appropriate levels of supervision and support.”
Terms for this include:
“It is a requirement of the University that students are also involved in regular formal supervision meetings…. It is the expectation of the University that these meetings should normally take place at least twice per term and up to a maximum of 50 contact hours per year.”
The results from the PGR Survey suggest that respondents are satisfied with the level of supervision which they receive
| Academic Support/Supervision | Kent 2006 | Sector Avg. 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback on work has been given in an agreed timeframe | 3.5 | 3.7 |
| Feedback on my work has enabled me t understand the strengths and weaknesses of my work | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| I am able to contact my supervisor/supervisory team when I need to | 4.5 | NDA |
| I have had regular contact with my supervisor | NDA | 4.2 |
| Overall, I am happy with the supervison and research guidance i have recieved | 4.1 | 4.1 |
The positive results from the survey were backed up by comments from participants in the PGR focus group. Representatives from Computer Science, Film, SPSSR and Law were all satisfied with the level of supervision that they receive. There was a concern raised regarding contact with supervisors during August, however this appeared to be a specific concern for an individual rather than a general issue.