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How we use feedback to improve your student experience

Find out how your survey feedback is used.

PRES and PTES

Surveys are run every two years, in the spring, in order to understand and improve the doctoral student experience within the University.


PRES

PRES is a national survey run by Advance HE that the University can use to understand and evaluate student satisfaction for all doctoral students in their research phase. The survey evaluates themes such as supervision, research culture, student support and professional development.

PTES

Professional doctorate students who are in the taught phase of their programme are invited to give feedback via this national survey, run by Advance HE. This survey evaluates themes such as teaching and learning, engagement, community, resources and assessment and feedback.

Highlights from 2025 PRES and PDES Surveys

Headline results from the 2025 surveys.


Postgraduate researchers at the University of Bath are among the most satisfied in the UK, according to the latest Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES).

The University is ranked 9th overall in the 2025 survey, with an overall satisfaction score of 87%.

Bath’s international research students gave particularly strong feedback, placing the University 3rd overall, 1st for online learning resources, and within the top 10 for its research community.

University of Bath Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Doctoral), Professor Joe Devine, said: “It’s incredibly pleasing to know postgraduate researchers at Bath rate their experience so highly. These results show we are making rapid progress and ensuring the University of Bath is known as one of the best places in the UK and the world to build a research career and carry out research with impact.”

For the first time, the University of Bath entered Professional Doctorate cohorts on their taught phase into the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES).

Overall satisfaction on these programmes ranged from 78% to 92%.

Bath's Prof Docs on their taught phase had higher levels of satisfaction with the Engagement and Community than our MSc cohorts. Online Resources and Resources both scored highly with satisfaction levels in the 90% (between 90% to 94% depending upon specific programme).


Action plans

Directors of Studies and the University create action plans to address your feedback.


Read the action plan for your programme

Programme action plans