The IBWG recommends that:
• institutions take a strategic approach to attracting home students to doctoral
programmes, including consideration of diverse modes of study and sponsorship
(p 60)
• all Scottish institutions take part in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey
(PRES) or conduct a similar satisfaction survey of their postgraduate research student
(PGR) population and that the results are aggregated to provide quantitative
evidence (p 60)
• to encourage Scottish university participation in joint international PhD
programmes, Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs) collaborate to form
a central resource providing funding, advice and draft agreements, drawing on
experience elsewhere (p 61)
• all Scottish institutions provide research communication programmes for
international PGRs and accessible support, both academic and non-academic, for
international students and their families (p 61)
• there is a need to be more proactive and structured about how academic standards
and the quality of doctoral programmes are reviewed, internally and externally
(p 61)
• it is timely to have a review of qualification titles at doctoral level, using the doctoral
qualifications descriptor and Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
(Chapter 3) (p 61)
• it would be useful for Scottish HEIs to consider a coordinated approach to initial and
supplementary supervisor training that all supervisors are expected to engage in
(p 61)
• Scottish institutions may benefit from a review of existing graduate schools and
doctoral training centres, so as to optimise their effectiveness and reduce any
duplication of effort (p 62)
• all Scottish institutions awarding research degrees have in place a teaching
preparation programme drawing on best practice in the rest of the UK and overseas,
which PGRs begin, and if possible complete, before they begin teaching (p 62)
• to assist doctoral graduates in the transition to the next step in their careers,
Scottish institutions develop opportunities for postgraduate internships and affiliate
programmes, drawing on best practice in the rest of the UK and internationally