Levels of satisfaction with the PGR experience across participating institutions are the highest reported in over a decade.

Postgraduate research students across the UK and Australia are reporting their highest levels of satisfaction in more than 10 years, according to the Advance HE 2025 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES). 

More than 35,000 postgraduate researchers (PGRs) took part in the annual survey representing 93 institutions, including four in Australia – Queensland University of Technology, University of New South Wales, the Australian National University and the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Key findings: 

• Overall satisfaction among PGRs has risen to 83%, continuing a clear upward trend over the past five years and marking the highest score since 2011. 
• Nearly two‑thirds of PGRs (65%) say they feel a sense of belonging at their institution – a slight uplift since the question was introduced in 2023. Sense of belonging shows the strongest link to overall student satisfaction. 
• Ratings of supervision (89% and increasing) and resources are very high. 
• Some progress has been made on research culture with more than six in 10 (63%) saying they are satisfied. However, this remains one of the lower performing areas in the survey. 
• An 11-point gap in overall satisfaction persists between PGRs who report a disability and those who do not, with satisfaction among disabled respondents at 74%. In addition, less than half of disabled PGRs (46%) agreed that their institution provides the reasonable adjustments they need. 
• PGRs remain particularly concerned about cost-of-living challenges impacting on their studies, an issue that is particularly pertinent among those who came to the UK from abroad. 

Author of the 2025 report, Jonathan Neves, Head of Research and Surveys at Advance HE, said: 

“The results from the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2025 showcase a very positive experience being provided to postgraduate researchers across participating institutions. Overall satisfaction levels are the highest we have seen in over a decade, and there is evidence of progress being made across many of the aspects covered in the survey. 

“Although sense of belonging is growing, along with research culture, it is one of the key drivers of satisfaction. Lower scores in these areas highlight to institutions the need to invest in culture and belonging to help drive higher scores. 

“Further focus is also required at both institutional and policy level to improve parity of the experience among PGRs with a disability. Although there is evidence of increasing satisfaction over time, the gap compared to PGRs who do not report a disability remains significant and institutions should consider how to maximise support in their PGR provision.”