As background to PRES 2013, here are some results from the previous Survey, PRES 2011, with an indication of what UEA has done in response. Since there were over fifty questions in PRES 2011 we have selected the five statements with the greatest proportion of respondents agreeing with the statement and the five statements with the smallest proportion of respondents agreeing with the statement. The national figures given here specifically exclude UEA responses.

Statement	UEA 2011	National 2011
1a. My supervisor/s have the skills and subject knowledge to adequately support my research.	89% agreed	88% agreed
14a. My friends and family are supportive of my research degree programme.	88% agreed	89% agreed
15g. The following met/exceeded expectations: overall experience of my research degree programme.	87% agreed	86% agreed
15b. The following met/exceeded expectations: opportunities to gain a range of research skills.	86% agreed	88% agreed
15c. The following met/exceeded expectations: opportunities to gain a range of transferable skills.	85% agreed	87% agreed

Commentary
We have reviewed our training for supervisors and have seen a large increase in attendance at training. We are pleased that research students are generally satisfied with their overall research experience and the opportunities on offer for developing a range of skills. Personal and Professional Development (PPD) training coordinators continue to welcome feedback on individual aspects of training. See our PPD pages for more details.

Statement	UEA 2011	National 2011
10. I have had adequate opportunity to gain experience of teaching whilst doing my research degree programme.	54% agreed	58% agreed
4d. I feel integrated into my department’s community.	54% agreed	54% agreed
11. I have been given adequate support and guidance for my teaching.	52% agreed	51% agreed
7c. I am encouraged to reflect on my career development needs.	52% agreed	47% agreed
7a. I am encouraged to think about the range of career opportunities that are open to me.	45% agreed	44% agreed

Commentary
PRES 2011 showed that UEA needed to work harder to support research students in their career development, in supporting them to develop teaching skills and to be a full part of their department’s community. There were some marked differences between Faculties which we are exploring. For career development see the new 'Researchers' pages at the Careers & Employability at UEA website. 

One of the most striking things about PRES 2011 was the very high correlation between the proportion of UEA respondents and the proportion of all respondents (nationally, excluding UEA) agreeing with the statements. In PRES 2011 there were only three statements for which the proportion of UEA respondents agreeing with the statement differed by more than 5% from the national average. These are given below.

Statement	UEA 2011	National 2011	Commentary
6a.iii. I was given adequate support and guidance in preparation for my viva voce.	64% agreed	72% agreed	Every Faculty now runs PPD sessions covering preparation for your viva.
7b. I am encouraged to reflect on my professional development needs.	59% agreed	50% agreed	We out-performed the national average but still need to connect good skills development provision with personal encouragement to reflect.
14c. The financing of my research degree programme places a strain on my personal finances.	43% agreed	49% agreed	A lower proportion of our respondents experience strain on their personal finances, but this rises to 60% in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.