Universities UK today presented its report on Promoting the UK Doctorate at the House of Commons to an audience of MPs and Vice-Chancellors. Pat McFadden, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills also contributed to the debate.
The report, authored by Vitae, highlights how study at doctoral level will provide the high level skills needed to help drive our economy in a post-recession environment. There has been increasing interest in all aspects of the UK doctorate over the last decade. The recently announced review into postgraduate provision in the UK, led by Professor Adrian Smith, Director General of Science and Research, is certain to further heighten interest.
Promoting the UK Doctorate is intended to inform and guide this review, by identifying the key challenges to the future development of postgraduate research education and discussing the promotion of the UK doctorate, both within the UK and internationally. This will ensure the financial sustainability of doctoral provision and improve the employability of doctoral graduates. Universities UK’s report on taught postgraduate study published earlier this year will also contribute to the review.
Professor Steve Smith, President, Universities UK said: “Research and innovation in the UK is underpinned and driven by universities. A recently published report commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, found that the UK continues to punch well above its weight and that our research remains the most productive and efficient of all the G8 countries.
“To maintain and indeed build on this position, research and development needs to remain a political priority. The strength of our doctoral programmes will be crucial in not only providing the next generation of researchers and the academics, but also producing advanced graduates for a wide variety of economic sectors, such as manufacturing, IT, finance, and health and social care, as well as education.
“The review into postgraduate provision provides a timely opportunity to see whether there is scope for improvement in the current system. We look forward to working on ways to ensure that our research base remains the envy of the world.”
Dr Janet Metcalfe, Chair and Head of Vitae said: “Doctoral programmes have transformed dramatically over the last few years, particularly in emphasising high level skills for a broad range of careers in a wide variety of sectors. This report comes at a time when there’s a particular focus on the continuation and sustainability of the activities that have been developed by institutions to support researcher careers as part of the ‘Roberts' agenda. The UK needs to consider how to ensure that postgraduate study here remains internationally attractive.”
Notes
- The report - Promoting the UK doctorate: opportunities and challenges - is available to download. Further information on Taught postgraduate students: market trends and opportunities is available.
- A review which will look into postgraduate provision in the UK - led by Professor Adrian Smith – got underway last week. The review will consider the impact of postgraduate study on the UK economy and will assess the UK's international competitiveness in this area. For more information, visit: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/Newsroom/Media-Releases/Pages/PostgraduateReviewResponse.aspx
- 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.
- 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