Evaluation and quality assurance

The student's role in quality assurance

The University of Agder has established a quality assurance system for the purpose of developing the quality of our studies. As a student, you are important to the university, and you are therefore encouraged to contribute actively in the learning process through critical and reflected participation in education and evaluation processes. Your feedback is important in the ongoing improvement of courses and studies at the university.

Student evaluation of courses

Mid-term evaluations and final evaluations of all courses are made each time a course is offered.

Mid-term evaluations take place during lectures, where 15-20 minutes of a lecture is used to discuss anything the students wish to take up in the evaluation. The instructor should not be present for this. Two to three student representatives and the instructor then evaluate the course, using a checklist as a guide. The mid-term evaluation is usually made by week 41 in the fall semester and by week 10 in the spring semester.

Final course evaluation is carried out at the latest one week before the beginning of the examination period. The purpose is to assess positive and negative aspects of the course and identify any need for change.
The final course evaluation is carried out in the same way as the mid-term course evaluation.

Student evaluation of studies (90 credits or more)

Mid-term evaluation takes the form of a meeting between the departmental coordinator or study programme coordinator, two to three student representatives and the instructor(s). One of the students must be the class’s student representative. The mid-term evaluation is usually made by week 41 in the fall semester and by week 10 in the spring semester.

Final programme evaluation is used to assess positive and negative aspects of the study programme and identify any need for change. The Faculty board, upon suggestion from Heads of Department and Study Programme Advisory Councils, decides on the time and format of the final evaluation of each study programme. The evaluation must start at the latest three weeks before the beginning of the examination period.

Possible formats for final programme evaluations:
• Programme seminar / evaluation seminar / process seminar (gathering together first, second and third year students)
• Evaluation seminars for each year group
• Discussions between student representatives, Heads of Department and possibly lecturer(s), where the student representatives prior to the discussion have gathered the views of their peers (similar to the mid-semester evaluation)
• Questionnaire enclosed with the students’ diplomas (possibly combined with a candidate survey)
• Fronter questionnaire

A summary report from the mid-term and final evaluation is published in the course room in Fronter.

In addition, the following are included:

• Separate evaluations of practical placements
• Separate evaluations of student exchange for students who have been abroad
• Separate evaluations of learning environment (administered by the learning environment committee)
• Consumer surveys among students, faculty and staff

Link to the university's quality assurance system:
Quality assurance at UiA