by Elena Rollan Martin, (Policy Associate, 24/25)
Overview
A parallel research project to the Undergraduate Experience Report focused on postgraduate students, particularly those navigating funding insecurity, chronic health conditions, or research-intensive programmes.
Key themes identified:
- Self-funded students face considerable pressure, with limited institutional acknowledgement of their financial and academic realities.
- The current disability provision model is fragmented, requiring students to navigate multiple systems (college, department, DAS) with limited coordination.
- Flexible academic pathways remain underdeveloped, with suspension too often treated as the default solution for students facing long-term health conditions.
- Use of AI in research is widespread, yet the University’s regulatory framework remains under-defined, raising questions about equity, accessibility, and academic standards.
- Estimated postgraduate costs (using Durham SU’s model) suggest that actual financial commitments for international and lab-based students can exceed £100,000 annually, far beyond published guidance.
Outcomes:
The report will inform future collaboration with the Disability Advisory Service (DAS), QASC, SLC, and divisional Graduate Studies Committees. We are also exploring college-level engagement on postgraduate provision, particularly in relation to transparency and support structures.