Taught postgraduate provision: are we getting it right?
Taught postgraduate provision: are we getting it right?
UK Council for Graduate Education Chair delivers opening keynote presentation to the Higher Education Academy Network of Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Vice-Principals.
In a panel session with colleagues from HEFCE and the NUS, Professor Rosemary Deem Vice Principal (Education), Royal Holloway, University of London, and UKCGE Chair raised a number of critical questions regarding postgraduate taught education.
In her talk, Professor Deem who is also Dean of the Doctoral School at Royal Holloway said,
“We have to ask for whom we are ‘getting things right’? Potential contenders include: a diverse student body, potential applicants, our institutions, our governing bodies, potential employers, those who teach on Masters degrees, the Bologna process (1 years programmes, integrated Masters?) and a global world. The answers will be different for each of these.”
Taking place over the 18th and 19th of November at London’s Barbican Centre the residential event was attended by over 100 Pro Vice Chancellors representing the vast majority of UK Higher Education Institutions. As well as exploring issues related to taught postgraduate provision, the meeting also included sessions on flexible study and the attainment gap, as well as an update on the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Deem said,
“There are many challenges ahead for Masters degree programmes in the UK for example; What do we actually know about the socio-economic characteristics of our Masters students (Wakeling)? How much effort do we put into designing Masters degree curricula? Why do we want to have Masters degrees? How (do) we train & support Masters Degree Programme directors? How do we get 1 year Masters students to fill in course evaluations when most will not benefit from any changes made? And, Do we pay Masters students enough attention compared with undergraduates as TEF may make it worse?”
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PGT Seminar on Skills and Employability
