Six-year evaluation cycle concluded – five programmes evaluated

The programmes Master’s Programme (120 credits) in Energy Smart Innovation in the Built Environment, and Specialist Nursing – Ophthalmic Nursing are considered to be of approved quality. Media and Communication in Theory and Practice: Focus Health, Environment, Innovation and Sustainability as well as Specialist Nursing – Pediatric Nursing are considered to be of approved quality subject to reservations.

The evaluations were conducted in accordance with the Research and Education Board’s (FUN) guidelines for evaluating education at the first and second cycles. Each programme was evaluated by an internal committee consisting of a member from the Research and Education Board, a faculty member from a School, a student representative, an administrator and two external experts.

“Ending the spring session and the six-year cycle with overall positive assessments and many valuable insights for the programmes’ continued development work feels very good”, says Eva-Carin Lindgren, Chair of FUN.

Many involved

The spring session concludes the University’s six-year evaluation cycle, during which FUN has evaluated 39 programmes from 2019 to 2024. Including the Swedish Higher Education Authority’s (UKÄ) evaluations, a total of 45 programmes have been evaluated during this period. Programmes not included in the evaluation are those that have undergone significant development work or have been recently established and do not have enough graduating cohorts.

The evaluation involved a large number of staff at the University, primarily within core operations but also within support functions.

“Many people at the University have dedicated a lot of time and effort, contributing to a smooth process: programme directors, analysts at the Schools, and staff at the Chancellery”, emphasises Eva-Carin Lindgren, expressing her gratitude for all the engagement:

“The evaluations have provided us with a solid foundation to scale up our development work, and I want to extend a big thank you to all the staff who have been engaged and contributed to a well-functioning evaluation system, helping the University to advance the quality of our education”.

Development work started

Following FUN’s decision, work will now begin at the Schools based on the assessment of each evaluated programme. For both programmes assessed as approved quality and those assessed as approved quality subject to reservations, there are several proposed actions that the Schools should consider and implement according to the guidelines.

This is the first evaluation system conducted by the University under its own management, an extensive effort aimed not only at evaluating the programmes but also at developing the University’s quality and follow-up system. All experiences from the six evaluation rounds will be utilised in the continued development work for the next evaluation cycle, set to start in spring 2026 at the earliest, as decided by FUN earlier this spring.

This autumn, FUN will begin following up on experiences from programme directors, vice deans with responsibility for education, and others to develop a new evaluation system.

“Additionally, an environmental analysis and discussions with other universities in our networks will commence to gain inspiration. Our goal for the continued work is to develop a more efficient evaluation system that ensures better synchronisation with the annual programme follow-up, to provide programmes with guidance for quality development, and give the University confirmation that our programmes maintain high quality”, states Eva-Carin Lindgren and looks forward to the development work in the autumn:

“The aim is to have an evaluation system in place by the autumn, creating favourable conditions for programmes that will be part of the first evaluation round.”

Text: Sandro Reljanovic

Photo: Dan Bergmark