Doctoral programmes are fundamental to developing the next generation of researchers and guaranteeing the continued success of the UK’s world class research base, according to a report published today (Thursday) by Universities UK.

The report - Promoting the UK doctorate: opportunities and challenges - highlights how study at doctoral level will provide the high level skills needed to help drive our economy in a post-recession environment.

Given the importance and the increasing interest in all aspects of the UK doctorate in recent years, the report identifies the key challenges to the future development of postgraduate research education, which include the promotion of the UK doctorate, both within the UK and internationally, ensuring the financial sustainability of doctoral provision and how to improve the employability of doctoral graduates.

The issues raised in this report come at a crucial time, as the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills continues its debate about the future of higher education. Universities UK therefore looks forward to using this report as a basis for working with government, the higher education funding bodies and the research councils on the development of a clear and coherent strategy and vision for postgraduate provision.

Professor Eric Thomas, Chair of the UUK Research Policy Committee said: “If the UK is to maintain its world-class position in research, we have to see a greater emphasis on the training and development of new researchers. This is not just about creating a new academic workforce and sustaining scholarship and pure research, important though these are. It is also about ensuring we enhance the number of people with the highest-level skills needed to underpin the knowledge economy and safeguard the UK’s position in a post-recession economy.

“This report identifies a range of issues and challenges for universities, government and funding bodies. We must use this as a basis for giving greater emphasis to researcher training and development and moving towards a clear and coherent strategy for postgraduate provision."

Dr Janet Metcalfe, Chair and Head of Vitae and co-author of the report said: “The UK is a world leader in doctoral training but this is an increasingly competitive environment. Our universities are committed to continuing to enhance the doctoral experience and developing the high level skills and employability of doctoral graduates within and outside higher education. However, this report highlights a range of strategic issues on which government, funding bodies and universities collectively need to move forward to maintain the UK at the forefront of research and to ensure our economic prosperity.”
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Notes

1. The report - Promoting the UK doctorate: opportunities and challenges – is available to download from: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/publications 

2. Universities UK is the major representative body and membership organisation for the higher education sector. It represents the UK's universities and some higher education colleges. Its 133 members are the executive heads of these institutions. Universities UK works closely with policy makers and key education stakeholders to advance the interests of universities and to spread good practice throughout the higher education sector. Founded in 1918 and formerly known as the Committee for Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP), Universities UK celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2008.

3. The role of Vitae is to work with UK higher education institutions (HEIs) to embed professional and career development in the research environment. Vitae plays a major role in innovating, sharing practice and enhancing the capability of the higher education sector to provide professional development and training of researchers. Our vision is for the UK to be world-class in supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers. Vitae is supported by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and managed by CRAC: The Career Development Organisation and delivered in partnership with regional Hub host universities. www.vitae.ac.uk