Why (some) HDR students want to leave

UK not-for-profit analyst Advance HE included four Australian universities in its ’23 survey of HDR postgrads and found experiences are much the same the world over.Charlotte Holden reports that 80% of the 37,600 total responders, (almost all from the UK), were satisfied overall.  So were 79% of the 1,500 Australians, also counted in the main group. Among both, there was a 10 per cent premium on in-person contact with university staff and everybody found FT study more satisfying. But money worries were a common concern across the board; with money worries increasing this year compared to 2022. The two samples are as one on research culture; universally reporting that the least satisfying aspect of study, with just 56-57 per cent of responders agreeing that, “the research community in my areas influences my work.” The best result was for access to seminars, with 65-67% reporting positives. But 40% or so felt no sense of community. As to gutfuls, around a third of both samples report wanting to quit, although how many did is unknown. Money, mental health and competing priorities were the top three reasons. Participating Aus students were at ANU, Uni Newcastle, UNSW and Uni WA.