Degree programme requirements are constantly evolving, e.g. with regard to skills, teaching and learning formats and occupational fields of application. To ensure the quality of education and promote innovative ideas for teaching and studies, the University's degree programmes are regularly reviewed and further developed using a quality management system (QMS).
Degree programme conferences play an essential role in this process. The conferences are attended by all stakeholders – from students and instructors to staff members involved in teaching and studies – with the purpose of discussing the current state of the programme. Together, they assess where improvements are necessary and decide which steps should be taken. These approaches are then recorded in a quality development plan, making it easier to track and evaluate progress and accomplishments.
This process creates a loop that encourages the steady development of degree programmes while ensuring high quality in education. Close collaboration among all stakeholders ensures that the degree programmes are always up-to-date and meet the needs of students and society.
Process overview
The ongoing development of degree programmes is an essential part of the University's academic operations. At various steps during an eight-year accreditation period, the quality of the degree programmes is reviewed and improved as necessary.
Each faculty is responsible for conducting regular conferences with the purpose of reviewing and further developing the respective degree programmes. The faculty may choose to conduct a preliminary analysis in preparation for a degree programme conference. A preparation group collects relevant information such as survey results, data and key performance indicators, and creates an initial assessment that serves as a basis for discussion during the conference.
Focus on dialogue as a principle
During the degree programme conference itself, students, faculty members and staff involved in teaching and studies come together to assess the quality of the degree programme and discuss potential improvements. Different perspectives are brought to the table, and using the University's quality criteria, development objectives and potentials are identified. Based on this, the participants plan concrete measures, such as introducing new content, adapting websites and changing teaching methods. These measures can vary widely and range from minor adjustments to comprehensive reforms.
To monitor the planning, implementation and success of these proposed changes, the measures are recorded in a quality development plan. These are reviewed for their effectiveness within the framework of degree programme conferences based on monitoring. The development of new measures can occur at any time, even outside of conferences.
Measures can also involve changes to examination regulations. It is crucial that such changes are only made once a year and are carefully planned in advance.
Closing the loop
Successfully implementing changes and improving study quality play a decisive role in the development of degree programmes. Consequently, it is important to consider how to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed measures before implementing them, using (data-driven) monitoring within the framework of future programme conferences.
The evaluation closes the feedback loop of degree programme development, making it an essential part of the quality management system (QMS) at the University of Münster and ensuring the quality of our degree programmes.
