You said, we did!

At the University of St Andrews and St Leonard’s College we are always keen to hear your opinion and act on your feedback. Here are some examples of changes we have implemented based on student responses to the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) and Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), and discussions in the Postgraduate Open Forums.

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)

• You asked for more support in upskilling and career development.
  • We have expanded our partnership with Careers, organising more PG-focused career events as well as informal meets with Careers advisers. Careers have established dedicated support for PGT students, offering one-to-one appointments and bespoke training sessions.
• You asked for more dedicated training on academic and relevant skills.
  • St Leonard’s College and CEED have expanded further the development opportunities that are available to PGT students, with an expanded MSkills programme (a suite of workshops designed for Taught Postgraduate students) and an extended selection of variety of other training options. 
• You asked for more timely feedback on your work.
  • The Provost has been liaising with Directors of Postgraduate Taught studies to ensure all Schools provide substantial feedback on academic work in a timely manner. A new tool has been developed and introduced in MMS, which displays feedback response timings and highlights any delays, so they can be addressed quickly.
• You asked for more support in networking and community building.
  • St Leonard’s College has been organising a number of social and academic events that bring together students across different cohorts and Schools. From 2023-2024, PGT students can present their work in the St Leonard’s College Lecture Series.
  • St Leonard’s College has also been organising writing retreats for PG students, including summer writing retreats focusing on PGT students during dissertation writing up periods.
  • Social events include weekly PG Café, picnics (when the weather is good!) and pizza evenings, boardgame afternoons and movie nights. Suggestions for any other activities are more than welcome!
• You asked for dedicated workspace
  • In addition to space in the Main Library and the beautifully renovated Martyrs Kirk Research Library, which can only be used by researchers and all postgraduates, PGT students can also used the drop-in workspaces in Old Burgh School. 
  • We have allocated desks in Old Burgh School to PGT commuter students. 

Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)

• You asked for dedicated workspace.
  • The University is committed in providing dedicated desks to all Research students, either in your School or in a central area. St Leonard’s College has allocated more than 100 workspaces to PGR students in Old Burgh School, and we are working with Schools to ensure that all PGR students have indeed access to a dedicated workspace.
• You asked for more support in your professional development.
  • We have expanded our partnership with Careers, organising more PGR-focused career events as well as informal meets with Careers advisers. Careers have established dedicated support for PGR students, offering one-to-one appointments and bespoke training sessions and GRADskills career-focused workshops, as well as recorded supervisor training sessions on providing careers support.
  • School-led events in collaboration with the School’s Careers Advisers.
  • Employer and alumni networking.
  • Inclusion of academic/non-academic career planning checkpoint in annual Progress Review. 
• You asked for more dedicated training on academic and relevant skills.
  • St Leonard’s College and CEED have expanded further the development opportunities that are available to PGR students, with an expanded GRADskills programme (a comprehensive suite of development opportunities, tailored careers support and a single point of contact for postgraduate researcher development) and an extended selection of variety of other training options.
  • Free statistical training courses, facilitated by St Leonard’s College and delivered by the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), are available for University of St Andrews research degree students and staff.
• You asked for more support in networking and community building.
  • St Leonard’s College has been organising a number of social and academic events that bring together students across different cohorts and Schools, such as the St Leonard’s College Lecture Series, the weekly PG Café, picnics (when the weather is good!) and pizza evenings, boardgame afternoons and movie nights. Suggestions for any other activities are more than welcome!
  • St Leonard’s College has also been organising writing retreats for all PG students, and the ever popular ‘Shut up and Write’ sessions, which take place both online and in person. 
• You asked for further support when preparing and delivering teaching.
  • The University has introduced a detailed policy on Doctoral students who teach, which outlines the requirements of Schools and the University in terms of selecting and supporting postgraduate teachers, ensuring a clear and comprehensive framework.
  • Extensive training courses by CEED and Academic Schools, and additional optional support by that postgraduates can access if you wish. 
  • Optional credit-bearing modules from the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), to further enhance your learning and teaching skills and strengthen your CV if you plan to remain in academia.
• You asked for more support in preparing for assessments and viva
  • We have increased the provision of training for preparing for your viva, and are supporting Schools to share good practice and hold bespoke workshops, including mock oral examinations. Also please see our dedicated section on Submitting Your Thesis and Preparing for your Viva.

Improvements to Old Burgh School (home of St Leonard’s College) based on student suggestions

• Free coffee, tea and milk
• Free fresh fruit every Monday
• Kitchen with fridge, kettle and microwaves to prepare a quick meal
• Vending machines with snacks and fancy hot drinks
• Outside seating in OBS gardens
• Dedicated social areas in the building
• Bookable rooms
• Board games in Fairlie social area
• Social events and activities, such as yoga and relaxation sessions, movie nights, pizza parties, etc.
• Book Nook- selection of fiction books – come along and swap one you’ve read for another

If you have any queries or ideas about the postgraduate community at St Andrews feel free to discuss in person or reach out to us at [email protected] or [email protected].