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QAA recognises Kent’s ‘vibrant and interdisciplinary academic community’ for postgraduate researchers

The QAA Higher Education Review Team which visited Kent in March 2015 identified several features of good practice including: ‘The range of informal and formal opportunities provided to postgraduate research students, which create a vibrant and interdisciplinary academic community’ (Chapter B11 (Research Degrees)).  The final report has now been published on the website of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

The report stated in relation to Chapter B11 (Research Degrees) of the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education that: ‘There is evidence of a positive research environment created through formal and informal interdisciplinary arrangements where students and staff benefit from social interaction and the exchange of ideas. In particular, the Graduate School offers a range of student-facing activities through coordination of the Researcher Development Programme, monthly research cafés, the annual postgraduate research festival, the GradPost newsletter and the Postgraduate Experience Awards through which students can apply for funding to run an interdisciplinary event aimed at enhancing the postgraduate experience. Weekly research seminars are also provided where students can present their findings and latest chapters and receive feedback from peers and staff. Visiting researchers are also invited to present at these sessions. Students also receive regular sessions on preparing and submitting papers. The students met by the review team had derived considerable benefit from their interaction with others through the broad range of opportunities for disseminating research.’

The QAA review team also recognised the benefits of the Graduate School’s Global Skills Award Programme for postgraduate taught students, which has been running successfully since 2010.  The report stated that: ‘Students described its value both in terms of their development but also for networking opportunities which are particularly advantageous for international students.’

Professor Diane Houston (Dean of the Graduate School) said: ‘These findings are testament to the excellent work being undertaken by School and Faculty Directors of Graduate Studies, Postgraduate Administrators and the Graduate School Team in supporting and bringing to fruition such a wide range of opportunities for our postgraduate community across the University.’

Other features of good practice identified by the QAA report included the following:

  • The responsive and timely approach to supporting prospective students in their admission to the University across all levels of provision.
  • The strategic approach to creating an internationalised environment, which enables students to develop their academic, personal and professional potential.
  • The accessibility of university-level information available on the website to stakeholders.