.png)
.png)
Celebrating the Power of Postgraduate Education
International Day of Education 2026
Each year, International Day of Education invites us to reflect on the transformative power of learning. In 2026, postgraduate education stands out as a space of real momentum, innovation and hope.
Despite ongoing global challenges, postgraduate study continues to evolve in ways that are more inclusive, more relevant and more supportive than ever before. From new funding and global scholarships to improved student experiences and cutting-edge programmes, postgraduate education is helping learners develop the expertise, confidence and leadership needed for an increasingly complex world.
In this blog we celebrate five positive developments shaping postgraduate education in 2025–2026.
#1 Postgraduate Students Reporting Record Levels of Satisfaction
One of the clearest indicators of progress in postgraduate education is the student experience itself. In 2025, postgraduate taught student satisfaction reached its highest recorded levels, reflecting sustained improvements in teaching quality, academic support, supervision and course design.
This rise signals that universities are listening more closely to postgraduate voices - improving feedback mechanisms, investing in learning resources and prioritising wellbeing alongside academic excellence. For many students balancing work, research and personal commitments, these changes are making postgraduate study more rewarding and sustainable.
Why it matters: High satisfaction shows that postgraduate education is not only academically rigorous, but increasingly student-centred - enabling learners to thrive, not just endure.
#2 Expanded Global Scholarships Opening Doors Worldwide
Access to postgraduate education has long been shaped by financial barriers, particularly for international and underrepresented students. In 2026, new and expanded global scholarship schemes are helping to change this.
Initiatives such as the latest GREAT Scholarships cycle, alongside university-led funding for leadership, humanitarian study and international collaboration, are widening participation in postgraduate education across borders. These scholarships do more than fund degrees - they foster global exchange, shared learning and long-term international partnerships.
#3 Innovative Postgraduate Programmes Responding to a Changing World
Postgraduate curriculum in 2026 look very different from those of a decade ago and that’s a positive thing. Universities are launching new, interdisciplinary postgraduate programmes designed to reflect real-world challenges.
From degrees focused on creativity, leadership, and digital innovation to programmes integrating science, technology, policy and security, postgraduate education is moving beyond traditional silos. These programmes equip graduates with both deep expertise and adaptable skills, preparing them for careers that may not have existed when they first began their studies.
#4 A Stronger Focus on Postgraduate Community and Wellbeing
In 2025–2026, there has been a noticeable shift toward strengthening postgraduate research cultures. Universities, sector bodies, and conferences are placing renewed emphasis on connection, collaboration and mental wellbeing for postgraduate students and researchers.
Events dedicated to postgraduate cultures, inclusion and supervision highlight the growing recognition that academic success depends on supportive environments. Peer networks, mentoring schemes, and community-building initiatives are helping postgraduate students feel seen, valued, and supported throughout their journey.
#5 Major New Doctoral Studentship Funding Across the Arts and Humanities
In 2025, a significant investment was announced to support postgraduate researchers in the arts and humanities through a collaborative regional hub in the South East of England. The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards will fund 135 new postgraduate research studentships across a consortium of universities starting in October 2026, providing opportunities for research training, networking, and professional development.
What makes this initiative especially promising is its focus on both research excellence and community building. The studentships are part of a broader strategy to create a thriving research environment where postgraduate researchers can learn from peers and faculty across institutions, while engaging deeply with topics that matter to society.
You may also like...
2025 Wrapped: Growth, Innovation and Collaboration at FindAUniversity
Discover how 2025 has been a year of innovation, growth, and collaboration for FindAUniversity.
A Postgraduate Christmas Carol: International Recruitment Past, Present and Future
With Christmas nearly present, we've mixed sector data with our own unique insight to look back on the recent past and reflect on international recruitment yet to come.
