What's New?

We now offer the survey and analysis of three key groups of existing and potential postgraduate students:

• those who have declined offers of postgraduate study
• Postgraduate students remaining in study
• Undergraduates intentions of Postgraduate study

Take a look at our Model Report for an example of the type of information our surveys have to offer you, and click on the bullet points above for information on the individual surveys.

Since the partnership was set up in 2006, Postgraduate Directions (PGD) has developed into a well established consultancy focussing its activities on postgraduate and postgraduate research issues.

Our workshops have been very successful and have covered a wide range of topics relevant to the postgraduate and postgraduate research fields including: quality auditing, chairing vivas, alternative forms of doctorates, postgraduate marketing and developing postgraduate strategies. All have been over subscribed and very well received by participants We have also provided bespoke staff development programmes for example for the University of East London on supervisor training and the chairing of doctoral examinations

Our research and consultancy activity has flourished including projects for ESRC and SOAS (in collaboration with Oakleigh Consulting) as well as for Harper Adams University College and Northampton University College.

Our work and organisation continues to evolve. At this time we are sad that Stuart Powell is leaving us - to take up proper retirement. Stuart has made a huge contribution to the development of PGD and we will miss his sardonic sense of humour and his knack of being able to synthesise the un-synthesisable.

We have gained two new colleagues. Professor Jackie Green joins PGD as a partner. Jackie, Emeritus Professor of Health Promotion, was until recently Chair of Research Degrees in the Faculty of Health at Leeds Metropolitan University and Director of the Centre for Health Promotion Research. Internationally acknowledged for her writing on health promotion, Jackie has had considerable experience of research contracting and research degree administration, supervision and examination.

Dr Clare van Mierlo also joins us as an associate. Clare has a first class degree and PhD in Chemistry from Imperial College as well a PGCE from Oxford University. Clare's particular skills are in both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

This paper takes as its basis information gathered by the authors as part of their survey of a sample of countries from across the globe with regard to national approaches to the purposes of the doctorate award and to the principles and practices of doctoral education.

This paper takes information relating to doctoral examination, gathered by the authors as part of their survey of seventeen countries, and uses it to stimulate reflection on the processes and procedures that underpin the way in which such examination is carried out in the UK and in particular to related comments in the QAA Review of Research Degree Programmes (QAA, 2007).