The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is a national survey of full-time and final year part-time/flexible PGT students; responses are sought in the summer term and results made available early the following academic year. Although results are only available down to the level of the Institute of Applied Health Research (IAHR), it still provides us with important feedback that we can use to compare and improve our MPH programme.
We were really pleased to see that the quality of teaching and learning, opportunities to give feedback, response to feedback, course organisation, the development of research skills, and the dissertation module were all rated particularly highly (and above levels for comparable courses in other Russell Group universities), with free text responses particularly praising members of staff and external speakers. Less highly rated were responses to questions on the usefulness of feedback provided to students and the opportunities students had to think about future careers. Some suggested improvements are already in train (such as more formative input into the dissertation protocol and assistance with writing skills), but as a programme we have now agreed an action plan with the College to improve consistency in marking and the provision of feedback, as well as providing more signposting and information on future career options once you finish your studies here.
We will continue to play close attention to the feedback provided via PTES and would encourage any of you who are current students to complete the survey when you are offered the opportunity. This is a really valuable way to ‘have your say’ and ensure the programme continues to meet future student needs.
In addition, for those if you who are alumni of the course and would be prepared to help students think about future careers, perhaps through a short profile, speaking with interested students or presenting to the whole cohort, please drop a line to myself or Claire.
Written by Derek Ward, MPH Programme Director
