Postgraduate survey 2025 | News | University College Birmingham

October 2025

Sense of community stands out in postgraduate student experience survey

By Melanie Hall

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Students were most positive about our community in this year’s Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES), the largest survey of its kind in higher education.

The University scored 10.6% higher than the sector benchmark in the community section of the survey, testament to our diversity, inclusivity and commitment to giving postgraduates a sense of belonging during and around their studies.

Overall, the University received a positivity score of 88%, 2% higher than the sector benchmark. Highlights included:

94% agreed teaching staff were good at explaining things
93% agreed they had good access to online learning resources
91% were happy with the support on their course
91% said they had developed their skills as an independent learner
90% said their confidence to be innovative/creative had developed
90% agreed their course enhanced their academic ability
90% agreed our academic skills support met their needs
90% agreed their research skills had developed
90% said they felt better prepared for their future career

The survey delved down into satisfaction on individual courses.

Scoring 100% - MSc Psychology (Conversion), MSc Hospitality with Tourism Management, PGDip Culinary Arts Management, PGDip Enterprise Management, PGDip Finance and Accounting and PGDip Marketing Management for Events, Hospitality and Tourism.

Scoring 90% or more: MA Culinary Arts Management, MA Marketing Management for Events, Hospitality and Tourism, MSc Enterprise Management, MSc Finance and Accounting and MSc Dietetics.

The University’s postgraduate courses taught in the heart of the city are industry-focused and management-led, and the University is recognised by top industry bodies, giving you a well-respected qualification that will help you take your career to the next level.

You'll also benefit from exciting work placement and enrichment opportunities and there is postgraduate financial support to tap into as well, including an early payment discount and a fee waiver for University College Birmingham undergraduates going into postgraduate study.

If you are an international student choosing a postgraduate course with us, there are lots of other scholarships to apply for too.

Find out more about our postgraduate courses and postgraduate provision, voted best in the region at the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards.

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