Evaluation

The evaluation of studies and teaching at the University of Münster is based on the entire student life cycle (see graphic Student Life Cycle). To this end, relevant information and data are systematically collected in order to evaluate and further develop degree programs on the basis of data. Established evaluation tools (= surveys, data, and key figures) are used to collect important information for each phase of the degree program (see graphic: Evaluation Tools). 

The results of the evaluations are standardized and prepared in a user-friendly manner and made available to the departments on a regular basis. Different procedures may apply to degree programs with additional legal requirements (these include state examination, church, international cooperation, continuing education, and dual degree programs). For these programs, survey organization and data management are often complex, as students are optionally enrolled or exam administration is not centralized. The survey results, data, and key figures are intended to help identify development potential, initiate targeted quality development measures, and review their effectiveness. 

Emphasis is placed on data minimization: students should only participate in as many surveys as absolutely necessary. Data protection is also taken into account, as results are only reported if anonymity is guaranteed. The surveys, data, and key figures are also regularly refined on the basis of scientific findings.

Surveys

• degree program survey

  The evaluation of studies and teaching at the University of Münster is oriented towards the entire student life cycle and systematically collects relevant data to evaluate and further develop degree programs in a data-driven manner. Established evaluation instruments (surveys, data, and key performance indicators) are used to capture important information for each phase of study, from study orientation to the time after graduation.

  • The results are prepared in a standardized and user-oriented way and made available to departments on a regular basis. They are intended to support the identification of development potential, the initiation of targeted measures for quality development, and the verification of their effectiveness. 
  • Emphasis is placed on data minimization: students should only participate in as many surveys as absolutely necessary. On the other hand, data protection is taken into account, as results are only reported if anonymity can be guaranteed.

  Furthermore, the surveys, data, and key performance indicators are regularly developed further according to scientific standards in order to permanently secure and improve the quality of studies and teaching.

• Graduate survey

  The graduate survey at the University of Münster is part of the nationwide cooperative project "Absolventenstudien" (KOAB) and has been conducted annually since 2007. Graduates and doctoral graduates are surveyed one to two years after completing their degrees on topics such as study conditions, transition to employment or further study, acquisition of competencies, and use and evaluation of central service facilities.

  • This covers several phases of the Student Life Cycle (SLC), particularly the course of study, the completion phase, and the period thereafter. The university uses various standardized questionnaire variants, which are developed and regularly revised according to scientific criteria within the framework of the cooperative project.
  • The survey results are provided to the University of Münster by the Institute for Applied Statistics (ISTAT), which coordinates the survey scientifically and technically. Department 5.3 is responsible for organizing the survey, sending invitations and reminders, and evaluating the survey in compliance with data protection regulations.
  • The results are prepared and standardized in the form of graphical reports and passed on to the departments for program development. Individual evaluations are also possible after consultation. Through the annual implementation of the survey, it is also possible for smaller programs to obtain evaluations at the program level by matching data from multiple cohorts.
  • The University of Münster supports an increase in the response rate through the use of incentives and comprehensive communication measures.

  The graduate survey thus provides valuable insights that contribute to improving programs and central service areas. Departments and central institutions can also introduce their own questions to cover specific topics.

• Student Survey in Germany

  The University of Münster participates every four years in the nationwide survey "Studying in Germany" (SiD) conducted by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), which was first implemented in the summer semester of 2021. The SiD survey primarily provides data on the course of study, as well as data on the initial phase of studies.

  • At least all students in the 3rd/4th semester, as well as 25% of students in other semesters, are surveyed on various topics, including study characteristics, social background, political attitudes, financial and living situations, diversity, international mobility, study situation, and student services.
  • The questionnaire is standardized and does not allow for additional questions to be added. Following the survey, the university receives a raw dataset containing nearly all characteristics and responses from the participants. Occasionally, comparisons with the national average are also possible.
  • Department 5.3 is responsible for evaluating and organizing the survey. The collected data can be used for analyses at the university level on topics such as diversity, financial situation, and social background, as well as for individual analyses for faculties upon request.

  By doing so, the SiD survey contributes to improving study conditions and support structures at the University of Münster. The most recent survey took place in the summer semester of 2025, and the next survey is scheduled to be conducted again in the summer semester of 2029.

• Student course evaluation

  The student course evaluation (LVE) is primarily a feedback instrument for instructors to ensure and develop the quality of their courses at the University of Münster. It is regularly used by students to provide constructive and respectful feedback to instructors.

  • At least every two years, all curriculum-based courses and courses taught by full-time instructors must be evaluated, although a more frequent evaluation cycle is possible and common.
  • The evaluation is usually conducted online using the central evasys system, which ensures anonymity and security against manipulation through the use of a personalized TAN procedure. In exceptional cases, paper questionnaires can be used.
  • The questionnaires contain mandatory core questions that focus on the quality of the course, particularly the instructor(s) and didactics. Optional modules and individual questions can be added as needed.
  • After completing the LVE, instructors and deans receive timely detailed evaluations with quantitative results and free-text comments, which should be discussed with students in the course.
  • The publication of the results takes place on the intranet pages of the departments. The responsibility for conducting the LVE lies with the evaluation officers responsible for the respective evaluation units.

  The LVE thus supports the quality assurance and development of teaching at the University of Münster in a transparent, data-driven, and data-protection-compliant manner.

• additional surveys

  In addition to the central surveys, the University of Münster, as well as individual subjects and faculties, regularly or on an ad-hoc basis participate in further surveys. These supplementary surveys provide valuable, topic-specific information on various phases of the Student Life Cycle and at different levels of the university.

  Examples include

  • the surveys conducted as part of the "Benchmark International University" (BintHo) project by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which focuses on internationality,
  • and the survey on success factors of digital university teaching (EdiHo) by the Institute for Applied Statistics (ISTAT), which examined digital teaching during the first "coronavirus semester".

  Moreover, individual subjects participate in the regular student survey as part of the CHE ranking. The results serve as valuable information for prospective students when deciding on a place of study and can also be used by the departments for quality assurance and development of their degree programs.

• Survey planner

  To avoid multiple surveys and associated "survey fatigue" among students, the University of Münster coordinates all central and as many decentralized surveys as possible through a survey calendar. This calendar documents when which surveys are conducted and which student cohorts are being addressed. The goal is that each cohort participates in each central survey no more than once throughout their studies - with the exception of the regular course evaluations. The calendar also enables faculties to coordinate their own surveys with the central surveys in a timely manner. By doing so, the survey calendar creates transparency, prevents overlaps, and helps to distribute the burden on students evenly. 

  Survey calendar (internal)

Data and figures: QM data reports

In addition to surveys, statistical data and key figures form an important basis for evaluation. The faculties regularly receive QM data reports, which are used for quality development in studies and teaching. These include data on first-year students, study progress, graduation rates, duration of studies, and grade distributions. 

The QM data reports are compiled at the program level, contain standardized tables and graphs, and also show time series to highlight developments and trends. In addition, differences based on gender or nationality are shown. The reports summarize relevant information in a compact form and are designed to be understandable and easy to use, even for users who are less comfortable with numbers. 

The QM data reports form the basis for degree program conferences and other QM processes. They are intended to help faculties identify areas where action is needed, develop targeted measures, and review their effectiveness. To ensure that they are up to date and accurate, the QM reports are reviewed regularly and adjusted as necessary. 

For degree programs with additional legal requirements—state examinations, ecclesiastical, international cooperation, continuing education, and dual degree programs—the surveys and data collection are adjusted accordingly.

Further development of the evaluation tools

The surveys and QM data reports of the University of Münster are regularly reviewed and further developed as part of the ongoing improvement of the Quality Management System. The goal is to close existing gaps in the representation of the Student Life Cycle and address new issues in quality management. In doing so, care is taken to coordinate the evaluation instruments sensibly with each other to avoid redundancies and ensure data efficiency.

Since introducing new procedures is time-consuming and resource-intensive, the further development takes place step by step and according to scientific standards. This way, the evaluation of studies and teaching is continuously optimized to provide the departments with reliable and practice-oriented decision-making bases for quality development.

Privacy protection

Data protection is of central importance in all procedures. The University of Münster strictly adheres to the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (DSG NRW). Personal data, such as address data for invitations, are used exclusively for this purpose and deleted after completion of the survey process.

There is no link to the survey results. Even with small sample sizes, the anonymity of participants is maintained. Due to the personal reference to teachers, additional data protection regulations apply to the evaluation of student teaching events.

Roles and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities involved in collecting, processing, and evaluating data relating to studies and teaching are clearly defined. At the central level, Department 5.3 coordinates the surveys, processes the data, and provides the faculties with reports that comply with data protection regulations. At the decentralized level, the QM officers in the faculties are responsible for using the results. The QM officers in the departments are available to answer any questions about data or survey results. 

The principles of data minimization, purpose limitation, confidentiality, and secure handling of data apply to all parties involved. This ensures that information is used specifically for quality development while guaranteeing data protection and transparency.