2023 Graduate Student Survey
The UCSC Graduate Student Survey is now open!
All enrolled graduate students are invited to participate in the 2023 UCSC Graduate Student Survey starting on April 11. This survey takes place every two years at UC Santa Cruz and all other UC campuses.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to let graduate students know that the survey is open. Currently enrolled doctoral and master's students will received emailed invitations to participate.
The survey provides a unique formal opportunity for students to share their experiences and input about the quality of their graduate program, mentoring, financial support, climate for diversity, experiences as a TA, GSR, or GSI, and satisfaction with campus services.
Survey findings will be shared with faculty, staff, and campus decisionmakers, and will be incorporated into regular formal reviews of each department. The survey has been run since 2007. Participating students will be entered into drawings of giftcards from $25 to $200, which can be used at shops and restaurants throughout downtown Santa Cruz, as well as at other retailers and online stores.
Results from Recent Graduate Student Surveys
The UCSC Graduate Student Survey is a survey of doctoral and master's students that takes place every two years to evaluate and improve the academic and social experiences of graduate students. In recent years of the survey (2011-2021), between 37% and 59% of graduate students have participated.
2021 Graduate Student Survey
Conducted from April 15 to July 1, 2021. Respondents: 37% of graduate students (41% of Doctoral and 27% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2021. The 2021 survey was part of the University of California Graduate Student Experience Survey (UCGSES).
- Questionnaire for the 2021 Graduate Student Survey
- Results (Interactive Data Tables): COVID-19 and Remote Learning (UC Santa Cruz and other UC campuses), 2021
- Results (Interactive Data Tables): Academic Experience, Advising, Climate for Diversity, Finances, Housing, Professional Development, and Student Services (UC Santa Cruz and other UC campuses), 2021
- Infographics Showcasing Key Results:
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Doctoral Student Academic Preparation from the 2021 Graduate Student Survey (PDF) |
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Doctoral Student Financial Situation from the 2021 Graduate Student Survey (PDF) |
- Reports (PDF):
2021-22 Graduate Studies Planning Form
A short survey to prepare for the 2021 Fall quarter, conducted from May 6 to May 23, 2021. Respondents: 42% of graduate students (47% of Doctoral and 24% of Masters) enrolled in spring 2021.
- Questionnaire for the 2021-22 Graduate Studies Planning Form
- Results: Report on Graduate Studies Planning Form for 2021-22
2019 Graduate Student Survey
Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2019. Respondents: 49% of graduate students (50% of Doctoral and 48% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2019.
- Questionnaire for the 2019 Graduate Student Survey
- Results: Completing Graduate Degrees on Time: Students Reported Reasons for Slowing Their Progress, 2019 Graduate Student Survey
- Results: Doctoral Student Feedback on Programs Offered by the Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL), 2019 Graduate Student Survey
- Results: Doctoral Student Feedback on Teaching Preparation, 2019 Graduate Student Survey
2017 Graduate Student Survey
Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2017. Respondents: 59% of graduate students (60% of Doctoral and 53% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2017.
- Questionnaire for the 2017 Graduate Student Survey
- Results: PhD Students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
- Results: Humanities PhD Students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
- Results: Physical & Biological Sciences PhD Students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise
- Results: Social Sciences PhD Students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
- Results: Engineering PhD Students' Challenges in Developing Writing Expertise (infographic)
2015 Graduate Student Survey
Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2015. Respondents: 53% of graduate students (55% of Doctoral and 47% of Masters) enrolled in winter/spring 2015.
2013 Graduate Student Survey
Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2013. Respondents: 54% of graduate students enrolled in winter/spring 2013.
- Questionnaire for the 2013 Graduate Student Survey
- Results: PhD Student Professional Development: This report summarizes the key findings on students’ self-evaluation of their preparedness to carry out various professional tasks such as conducting independent research, preparing scholarly articles for publication, and making presentations.
- Results: Graduate Policy Journal (published by the University of CA Student Association): Includes UC Santa Cruz results from the 2013 survey.
2011 Graduate Student Survey
Conducted in Spring/early Summer 2011. Respondents: 51% of graduate students enrolled in winter/spring 2011. The 2011 survey had an additional "common module on campus climate" and was part of the Diversity and Community Building Study.
- Questionnaire for the 2011 Graduate Student Survey
- Results: Teaching Assistants’ Experiences and Training (July 2012)
- Results: Professional development opportunities and climate for diversity, equity and inclusion (July 2012)
- Results: Student Voice Practices and Departmental Climate (July 2012)
- Results: Recommendations for improving campus climate for graduate students Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture, and Inclusion (September 2012): Based on these results, the Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture, and Inclusion (ACCCCI) made recommendations for improving campus climate for graduate students.
2007 Graduate Student Survey
Respondents: UC Santa Cruz graduate students enrolled in winter and/or spring 2007 quarters
- Results: Overview for Overall Graduate Student Population - Focus: Provides summaries for the overall graduate student respondent population regarding survey response rates, respondent characteristics, decision to attend UC Santa Cruz, financial aid, housing, campus social events, health insurance, graduate student services, and employment plans.
