Surveys

Current surveys

2008-9 Survey of Postgraduate Provision

2009 Survey of Postgraduate Provision:

Returns were received from 29 institutions: 4 ‘Russell group’; 12 other pre-1992 universities, 13 post-1992.

Masters’ Students:

Numbers:

100+: 1 (RG)

30+: 4 (all pre-1992)

20+: 7 (3 RG, 3 pre-1992, 1 post-1992)

10-19: 4 (2 pre-, 2 post-1992)

5-9: 8 (3 pre-, 5 post- 1992

1-5: 1 (post-1992)

0: 4 (post-1992)

In 8 institutions (3 RG, 4 pre- and 1 post-1992) numbers were rising; 5 (2 pre-1992, 3 post) reported falls; in most recruitment was stable. Only the most successful recruiters has significant numbers of international students.

Masters’ students at all institutions were overwhelmingly self-funded: 17 institutions reported 76-100% (and often 100%) of masters’ students supported themselves; 7: 50-75%.

Doctoral Students:

Numbers:

10+: 4 (1RG, 3 pre-1992)

5-9: 5 (4 pre-1992, 1 post)

1-5: 16 (3 RG, 4 pre-1992, 9 post 1992)

0: 4 (1 pre-, 4 post-1992)

Overview

7 institutions reported rising numbers; 3 falling; most stable; 8 judged that more than half their doctoral students hoped for academic careers; 5, 25-50% of them; 4: less than a quarter. More doctoral than masters’ students receive funding: 6 institutions (1 pre-, 5 post-1992) had entirely self-funded students; in 6 (1 RG, 3 pre-, 2 post-1992) 75-99% were self-funded; in 5 (2 RG, 2 pre-, 1 post-1992) 50-74%; in 4 (2 pre-, 2 post-) 25-49%; in 4 (1 RG, 3 pre-1992) 0-24%.

Many institutions recruited more than half their post-graduates from their own students, but information was patchy, and there were no clear patterns.

Seven institutions had ESRC recognition [2 RG, 5 pre-1992]; 12 had, or expected to have, AHRC block grant partnership awards [4 RG, 6 pre- and 2 post-1992 institutions]. Several returns expressed frustration at effective exclusion from AHRC funding.

Most MA programmes [16] were taught courses; 6 institutions provided both taught and MRes, dissertation based programmes; 2 focused on the MRes. It was difficult to discern any clear trends in provision: local and regional history, Medieval studies, Celtic Studies, Renaissance Studies, Victorian Studies, Religious, Social, Military, Environmental, Jewish and Landscape History were all mentioned.

Ann Hughes 8 May 2009.

Past surveys

HEFCE Review of SAS (Word file, 681KB) - the Higher Education Funding Council for England's review of the School of Advanced Studies at the University of London. The review includes an assessment of the Institute of Historical Research.
2007 survey of the Departments of History - summary? Link to survey form?
Other surveys?