Postgraduate students have rated the University of Worcester among the very best in the UK, according to the results of a major national independent survey.
The latest Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey reveals Worcester as 2nd highest nationally, out of the 105 institutions to take part, for Assessment, 6th for Employability and 10th for Overall Satisfaction. It is also in the top quartile for Retention.
The national survey, run by AdvanceHE, the independent national organisation for higher education teaching, leadership and equality, analysed results from more than 80,000 postgraduate students. Students scored their experiences of learning and teaching across a set of questions, including on levels of support and guidance and how prepared they feel for their future career and ranks institutions in 4 main fields " Assessment, Employability, Retention and Overall Satisfaction.
University of Worcester Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor David Green, said: "At Worcester we work tirelessly to educate and inspire our students for life. We are delighted that our taught postgraduate students rate their studies so highly " particularly when it comes to developing self-confidence, professionalism and employability. Employers rate Worcester graduates highly, consistently choosing to employ Worcester graduates, in a highly competitive labour market.
"Our philosophy is to encourage the professional and personal development of all our students. Our culture promotes responsibility, involvement, high standards and hard work."
The University was rated particularly highly by Psychology students, where it was ranked 3rd for Employability and 5th for Overall Satisfaction. The University has a strong reputation in Psychology, with specialist centres, such as the Centre for Violence Prevention, and courses in fields such as Counselling Psychology, Forensic Psychology and Sports Psychology. This successful growth and high quality has led the University to create a new academic department for Psychology, which is creating new opportunities to train as a professional in this vitally important field.
Another subject highly rated by students in the Survey, was the University's teacher training, which at postgraduate level includes the highly popular Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which leads to Qualified Teaching Status.
With a 70-year history of high quality teacher training, Worcester is widely considered to be one of the country's best, as well as biggest, universities for educational professionals, and Worcester has grown to provide excellent opportunities, for early years and further education teachers and associate professionals, such as Learning Support workers as well as Primary and Secondary teachers.
The national teacher shortage means that Worcester has created more places for entry this September. Applicants with commitment and dedication are urged to contact the University straightaway to explore the options available.
The University offers Education courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, covering Initial Teacher Education (Primary and Secondary), Education Studies, Early Childhood Studies and Continuing Professional Development. There is also an active research culture, with a number of students currently studying for Master of Philosophy and PhD degrees. In partnership with the NCT Worcester also educates the country's ante-natal teachers.
Over the past seven decades the University has educated tens of thousands of outstanding teachers who make a positive difference every school day to children's lives and opportunities.
These latest Survey results build on a series of continued successes for the University of Worcester. The University has one of the best overall employment rates in the UK, being in the top 10 for "Sustained employment with or without further study" in the most recent Longitudinal Educational Outcomes data, which looks at employment rates 1, 3 and 5 years after graduation. 97% of Worcester graduates are working and/or studying six months after graduation.
Worcester is one of the most inclusive universities in the UK and earlier this year was ranked in the top 10 of universities, which best reflect society, according to analysis by the independent think tank, the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). The study ranked Worcester eighth out of 132 universities for ensuring that people from all backgrounds have the chance to study at university.
The University of Worcester has a limited number of places available for well-qualified applicants to start in September 2018, across a range of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. For information visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.