Evaluation

The evaluation of teaching and studies at the University of Münster is based on the entire student life cycle (see info graphic "Student life cycle" below). To this end, relevant information and data are systematically collected to evaluate and further develop existing degree programmes. Established evaluation tools (i.e. surveys, data and key figures) are used to collect important information for each phase of the degree programme (see info graphic "Evaluation tools" below). 

The results of the evaluations are standardised and prepared in a user-friendly manner and made available to the faculties on a regular basis. Different procedures may apply to degree programmes with additional legal requirements (e.g. state and ecclesiastical examinations, international cooperation programmes, advanced education programmes and dual degree programmes). Organising the surveys and managing the data of these programmes are often complex, as students are optionally enrolled or exam administration is not centralised. 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 efficiency, i.e. 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 programme survey

  The evaluation of teaching and studies at the University of Münster is oriented towards the entire student life cycle and specifically applies to individual degree programme. Surveys are generally administered centrally every three years for all bachelor's and master's degree programmes at the same time to acquire a continual stream of data on the students' academic career. Between the 2nd and 7th semester, students are asked about the course offerings, research orientation, practical relevance, workload, examinations, counselling, visits abroad and their general satisfaction with the degree programme.

  • The results are prepared in a standardised and user-friendly manner and are made available to faculties on a regular basis. They are intended to help identify development potential, initiate targeted measures for quality development and verify their effectiveness. 
  • Emphasis is placed on data efficiency, i.e. 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.

  Degree programme evaluations are an important component of quality management and support the ongoing development of the degree programmes, as well as serve to safeguard and improve the study conditions at the University of Münster. 

  The last evaluation was conducted in the summer semester 2024, and the next is planned to take place in the summer semester 2028.

• Graduate survey

  The graduate survey at the University of Münster is part of the nationwide Joint Project on Graduate Studies (KOAB) and has been conducted annually since 2007. Graduates and postdocs are surveyed one to two years after completing their degrees on such topics as study conditions, transition to employment or advanced study, skill acquisition, and use and evaluation of central service offices.

  • 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 standardised questionnaire variants which are developed and regularly revised based on scientific criteria within the framework of the joint 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. Dept. 5.3 is responsible for organising the survey, sending invitations and reminders, and evaluating the survey in compliance with data protection regulations.
  • The results are prepared and standardised in the form of graphic reports and passed on to the faculties for degree programme development. Individual evaluations are also possible after consultation. Through the annual implementation of the survey, it is possible for smaller programmes to obtain evaluations at the programme level by matching data from multiple cohorts.
  • The University of Münster strives to increase the response rate by offering incentives and implementing comprehensive communication measures.

  The graduate survey thus provides valuable insights that contribute to improving programmes and central service areas. Faculty and central facilities are also permitted to add questions of their own to cover specific topics.

• Student Survey in Germany (SiD)

  The University of Münster participates every four years in the nationwide "Student Survey in Germany" (SiD) conducted by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), which was first carried out 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 study.

  • At least all 3rd- and 4th-semester students, 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 standardised and does not allow for customised 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.
  • Dept. 5.3 is responsible for evaluating and organising 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.

  The SiD survey thereby 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 in the summer semester of 2029.

• Student course evaluation

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

  • All curriculum-based courses and courses taught by full-time instructors must be evaluated at least every two years, 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 personalised TAN procedure. Paper questionnaires can be used in exceptional cases.
  • The questionnaires contain mandatory core questions that focus on the quality of the course, particularly with regard to the instructor(s) and didactics. Optional modules and individual questions can be added as needed.
  • After completing the course evaluation, 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 respective faculty's intranet pages. The responsibility for administering course evaluations lies with the evaluation officers responsible for the respective evaluation units.

  The student course evaluations thereby promote 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 participate in further surveys on a regular or random basis. These supplementary surveys provide valuable, topic-specific information on various phases of the student life cycle at different levels of the University.

  These include: 

  • surveys conducted as part of the "Benchmark International University" (BintHo) project by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which focuses on internationality,
  • 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 provide valuable information to prospective students for deciding on a place of study and can also be used by the faculties for quality assurance and development of their degree programmes.

• Survey planner

  To avoid multiple surveys and associated "survey fatigue" among students, the University of Münster coordinates all central and as many decentralised surveys as possible using a "survey planner". This scheduling instrument documents when each survey is to be conducted and which student cohorts are to be addressed. The goal is to ensure that each cohort participates in each central survey no more than once during their studies – with the exception of regular course evaluations. The survey planner also enables faculties to coordinate their own surveys with the central surveys in a timely manner. In this way, the survey planner promotes transparency, prevents overlaps and helps to distribute the burden on students evenly. 

  Survey planner (internal)

Data and key 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 teaching and studies. These include data on first-year students, study progress, graduation rates, duration of study and grade distributions. 

The QM data reports are compiled at the degree programme level, contain standardised tables and graphs, and also highlights developments and trends over time. In addition, differences based on gender or nationality are shown. The reports summarise relevant information in a compact form and are designed to be understandable and easy to use, even for those who are less comfortable with numbers. 

The QM data reports form the basis for degree programme 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 programmes with additional legal requirements – such as state and ecclesiastical examinations, international cooperation programmes, advanced education programmes and dual degree programmes – 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 student life cycle and address new issues in quality management. In doing so, care is taken to carefully synchronise the evaluation instruments so as to avoid redundancies and ensure data efficiency.

Because introducing new procedures is both time consuming and resource intensive, the further development takes place step by step and according to scientific standards. This way, the evaluation of teaching and studies is continuously optimised to provide the faculties with reliable and practice-relevant information for making decisions on quality development.

Data protection

Data protection is of central importance in all QM 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 contact information for sending invitations, is used exclusively for this purpose and deleted after the evaluation process is concluded.

There is no link to the survey results. Even with small sample sizes, the anonymity of participants is maintained. Due to potentially personal references to individual instructors, additional data protection regulations apply to the student course evaluations.

Roles and responsibilities

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

The principles of data efficiency, purpose limitation, confidentiality and the 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.

More information on evaluation of teaching and studies (QM portal)