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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Education
Postgraduate Research Students, NUI Galway
National Student Survey
School of Education
2022 Action Plan
Based on staff and student feedback, the Action Plan below was formulated.
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Actions |
Responsible |
Status* |
1 |
Research Infrastructure and Facilities |
With campus facilities now open and available again to all, most challenges encountered by students in this regard have been addressed. However, students agreed with our suggestion that making available a PhD ‘hotdesk’ in Nuns’ Island would be useful. |
HoS |
*In Progress Delayed due to inadequate office space |
2 |
Supervision |
No actions are planned here; satisfaction rates for the College were between 75-88%, and on consultation with students, a very high level of satisfaction was reported. |
N/A |
N/A |
3 |
Research Culture |
While scores on certain items in this category were under 60%, following consultation with staff and students, only one action was seen as necessary. Students were clear that they would like more opportunities to connect with each other for both social and research purposes. In this regard, the following is being done:
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1. DDS 2. DDS 3. DDS |
1. Complete 2. Complete 3. Complete |
4 |
Progress and Assessment |
Satisfaction scores in this area were over 60%, and students expressed general satisfaction with their progress in our feedback session. However, during our student consultation, they also expressed a desire for an occasional forum for general discussion about their research progress, at which a staff member would be present to advise. In this regard, the Director of Doctoral Studies will host an online check-in meeting with all PhDs once per term. This session will also be used to get feedback from students. |
DSS |
*Complete for last semester (being implemented once per term) |
5 |
Research Skills |
Satisfaction scores were over 60%, and students expressed satisfaction in our School feedback session. However, it was agreed during the consultation with students, that if any research skills needs were to arise, the students would inform the Director of Doctoral Studies, who would review the request and ascertain if relevant training could be organised. |
PhD Students and DSS |
*Complete |
6 |
Other Transferable Skills |
Satisfaction scores were over 60%, and students expressed satisfaction in our feedback session, so no actions are being identified. |
N/A |
N/A |
7 |
Responsibilities and Supports |
Most scores here were over 60%. However, two actions were noted:
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1. DDS 2. DSS 3. VD PGR & DDS |
1. *Complete 2. *Complete 3. *In progress (VD PGR to notify DDS at relevent time) |
8 |
Personal Outlook |
While three items in this area were scored at under 60%, discussion with the students did not reveal any core actions to be taken. Students were aware of the supervisor role (vs. a counsellor). It was agreed that supervisors would regularly discuss workload with their students and encourage them to take adequate rest time. |
All SoE PhD supervisors |
*In Progress (Supervisors reminded Jan. '23)
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9 |
COVID-19 Questions |
Items scoring less than 60% here were discussed with students and staff, and all agreed that challenges in this regard would be greatly alleviated by campus facilities being reopened and by in-person meetings returning. It was also noted that recent developments in online learning have enhanced access and flexibility for many students into the future, including SoE PhD students, many of whom are parttime. Our upcoming annual Postgraduate Research Symposium in April 2022 will be held in-person and students and staff are greatly looking forward to this event. |
N/A |
N/A |
10 |
Development Opportunities |
While quite a few items here scored less that 60% at College level, many of these are not relevant for our School. For example, re. receiving advice on career options, we already run a session on this as |
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part of our Structured PhD module ED6167, and supervisors also point students in the direction of further information and supports. During the consultation, our students were also clear that they received excellent support for any teaching they did in the School. Actions:
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1. DDS
2. All SoE PhD supervisors 3. All SoE PhD supervisors |
*Complete
*In Progress (Supervisors reminded Jan.'23)
*Complete |
11 |
Motivations |
We are not identifying actions here as we do not see we have a role in evaluating (or changing) our students’ initial motivations to do a PhD. This was discussed and agreed with staff and students. |
N/A |
N/A |
12 |
Career |
As with the ‘Motivations’ section, we are not identifying actions here as we do not see we have a role in evaluating (or changing) our students’ future career aspirations in terms of the specific areas into which they plan to progress. This was discussed and agreed with staff and students. |
N/A |
N/A |
13 |
Overall Experience |
Scores here, as well as for the following item with regard to considering withdrawing, were all more than satisfactory. During our consultation with SoE PhD students, a high level of general satisfaction was expressed. We anticipate that this will only increase as campus reopens and more events return to in-person. |
N/A |
N/A |
Dr Elaine Keane, Director of Doctoral Studies, January 16th 2023.