Respondents categorised by broad ISCED field of study

Categories: Generic programmes and qualifications; Education; Arts and humanities; Social sciences, journalism, and information; Business, administration, and law; Natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics; Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs); Engineering, manufacturing, and construction; Agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and veterinary; Health and welfare; or Services

Significant differences in Research Infrastructure are observed.

Agreement with the statement ‘I have a suitable working space’ is lowest amongst Education and Arts & Humanities students (67.4% and 67.5%, respectively), and highest amongst STEM subjects at 80.0% and above.

Further, agreement with the statement ‘there is adequate provision of computing resources / facilities’ is lowest amongst Social Sciences, Journalism & Information students, and Arts & Humanities students (60.5% and 60.8%, respectively).  

A significant difference between the different fields of study is observed in relation to having frequent opportunities to discuss their research with other research students.

Agreement with this view is lowest amongst Business, Administration & Law students (54.8%) and highest amongst Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics students (67.0%). 

Agreement with the statement ‘I received an appropriate induction / orientation to my research degree programme’ is lowest amongst Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics students (58.1%), and highest amongst Education students (72.7%).

Significant differences in Development Opportunities exist.

Education students were the least likely to avail of Development Opportunities, such as ‘agreeing a personal training or development plan’, ‘receiving training to develop other transferable skills’ and ‘spending time abroad’ as part of the research degree programme.

Further, Education students are least likely to indicate that they have taught or demonstrated at their institution during their research degree programme (44.0%), while Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics students are most likely (81.6%).

Research Skills did not significantly differ across three out of four questions. The same is observed in relation to Transferable Skills.

Agreement with the statement ‘I am satisfied with my life nowadays’ is highest amongst Education students (79.2%), and lowest amongst Engineering, Manufacturing & Construction students (56.2%).

Moreover, Education students are most likely to report that they feel that their research degree programme is worthwhile (85.9%). 

Awareness of the various student supports available significantly differs by field of study; awareness is lowest amongst Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries & Veterinary students (24.5%) and highest amongst Arts & Humanities students (38.9%).