Evaluation of first- and second-cycle education
Halmstad University regularly evaluates its first- and second-cycle programmes to ensure high quality and drive continuous improvement. The evaluations are based on laws, regulations, and the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG), as well as the University’s own governing documents and quality policy. The Research and Education Board (FUN) is responsible for the evaluation, which is carried out in a six-year cycle, meaning that each programme is evaluated every six years.
Purpose of the evaluation
- Ensure that the content, design, and outcomes of the programmes meet high national and international standards.
- Provide insight into the programmes’ relevance and currency.
- Offer feedback that supports the development and improvement of the programmes.
- Verify that the programmes comply with the University’s governing documents.
- Highlight the programmes’ specific profiles and strengths.
How the evaluation is conducted
- Each programme is evaluated approximately every six years.
- The programmes are reviewed by external experts.
- The evaluation is based on a self-evaluation and existing documentation, such as results from annual follow-ups, programme description and thesis reviews.
- The external experts conduct a site visit where they meet representatives of the evaluated programme, students, alumni, and representatives from working life.
- The results are presented in a report written by the external experts. Before finalisation, the report is shared with the relevant programme collegium, and the external experts meet with a temporary preparation group appointed by the FUN for a dialogue before finalising the report.
- FUN decides on an evaluation outcome according to a three-point scale:
- High quality
- High quality with conditions
- Questionable quality
- For programmes receiving the judgement “high quality with conditions” or “questionable quality,” development measures are implemented and followed up by FUN to ensure that the programme achieves high quality.
