BNU takes top 10 position in latest postgraduate research experience survey
Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has ranked 8th for overall satisfaction in a national survey completed by postgraduate research students at 100 UK higher education institutions.
In Advance HE’s Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) 2023, BNU achieved an overall satisfaction rate of 84% and ranked 1st for research culture (73%), 1st for responsibilities (91%), 1st for supervision (95%), 1st for community (73%), 2nd for progression (92%) and 2nd for support (84%).
BNU also improved its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework, the process which measures the quality and impact of research in UK universities. Some 44% of BNU research was judged to be of world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) quality, based on the six subject-based units of assessment (UOA) we submitted.
Of those UOAs, at least half of our research in the following areas was of world-leading or internationally excellent quality: Art and Design, History, Practice and Theory (60%); Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism (58%); and Social Work and Social Policy (50%).
The University has also recently established four Impact Centres to accelerate BNU research: Centre for the Enrichment of Culture and Identity; Centre for Improvement of Health and Wellbeing; Centre for Enhancement of the Environment and Innovation; and Centre for Advancement of Learning.
The scholarship and research undertaken by these centres will help the University to tackle society’s biggest challenges and make a difference to people’s lives in our local campus communities.
Professor Damien Page, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at BNU, said: “As a university that devotes all its energy to the student experience, we’re delighted to see these results that position us as one of the leading universities in the UK for postgraduate research students. With skilled research supervisors and dedicated support service colleagues, we provide a rich, nurturing culture where we constantly seek to improve, listening closely to what our students need and co-creating actions. We’re currently working on a new research strategy that will continue our trajectory as one of the most exciting universities in the UK and welcome future research students to continue that work.”
With skilled research supervisors and dedicated support service colleagues, we provide a rich, nurturing culture where we constantly seek to improve, listening closely to what our students need and co-creating actions.Professor Damien Page Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor Florin Ioras, Director of Research and Enterprise at BNU, added: “This excellent result is testament to the hard work, commitment, and expertise demonstrated by our PhD supervisors, graduate school, and the broader research community at BNU. We will now use the helpful feedback received by our PhD researchers to further enhance the learning journey, ensuring an exceptional educational experience for them and forthcoming graduates.”
You can learn more about our graduate school, areas of research, and how to apply here.