Respondents categorised by National Framework of Qualifications

Categories: Masters Research (NFQ 9) and PhD students (NFQ 10)

There is no significant difference between Masters Research and PhD students when answering questions related to the suitability of their working space.

Nonetheless, a higher proportion of PhD students say that they have access to the specialist resources and facilities necessary for their research (65.2% Masters; 73.5% PhD). The three most common sources of funding for PhD students are ‘scholarship’ (64.1%), followed by ‘grant’ (19.5%) and ‘self-funded’ (15.4%). 

A significant difference in Research Culture for Masters Research and PhD students is evident.

PhD students report more positive experiences across all four questions within Research Culture; 54.0% of Masters students agree they have frequent opportunities to discuss their research with other research students while 63.4% of PhD students agree with the statement.

A higher proportion of PhD students also agree that they received an appropriate induction / orientation to their research degree programme (53.6% Masters; 63.4% PhD).

Significant differences in Development Opportunities exist.

While 54.6% of Masters students have availed of the opportunity of ‘attending an academic research conference’, 79.0% of PhD students have availed of this opportunity.

Further, a higher proportion of PhD students indicate that they have taught or demonstrated at their institution during their research degree programme (47.8% Masters; 68.5% PhD).

In relation to Personal Outlook, a higher proportion of Masters students report satisfaction with their life nowadays (69.5% Masters; 64.3% PhD) and with their work-life balance (57.4% Masters; 52.8% PhD).

There is no significant difference between Masters and PhD students in  them feeling that their research degree programme is worthwhile.