About the QMS

Excellent teaching and high-quality degree programmes are of vital importance to the University of Münster. The goal is to provide attractive, innovative and excellent educational opportunities that offer all the advantages of a university education and optimally prepare graduates for their entry into professional life. 

To continually improve study opportunities and its teaching activities, the University has developed a quality management system (QMS) for teaching and studies. The aim is to ensure that all efforts to improve the quality of teaching and studies are geared towards this long-term goal. The University's Mission Statement on Study and Teaching and the Quality Management Regulations serve as the basis for the QMS and guide our actions in this regard.

• Continuous further development of teaching and studies

  Excellence in teaching and studies requires constant maintenance. Teaching and learning concepts must be continually reviewed and amended in light of new developments in subject areas, changes in the labour market, new legal requirements and the rapidly changing world. It is also important to consider the latest research findings in the field of higher education pedagogy and the individuals who are involved in day-to-day teaching activities. The QMS at the University of Münster builds on this insight and brings together structures, processes and instruments that serve to continuously develop teaching and studies. In this respect, it is important to refer to the Mission Statement on Study and Teaching, which provides guidance on further development, maintains our shared commitment to quality and calls for the regular involvement of external experts. In addition, the QMS is organised in the form of closed-loop, continuously running quality cycles. The aim of the QMS is to ensure that degree programmes and teaching concepts remain up-to-date, relevant and of high quality.

• Discourse and cooperation

  The QMS is based on the guiding principle that the quality of teaching and studies can only be determined and further developed in collaboration with students, instructors and staff in this field of activity. To address the various needs and demands of all those involved, the QMS relies on structured, evidence-based dialogue formats. Through honest, critical and constructive discourse between University members, as well as external subject representatives, professional representatives and graduates, the University can better identify the strengths and potential of its degree programmes, develop innovative solutions and propose concrete measures for further development based on these solutions. Everyone involved in teaching and studies is invited to share their ideas and experience, come up with viable solutions and engage cooperatively in concrete quality development within the framework of the QM measures. The QMS at the University of Münster is based on cooperative participation. 

• Transparency and visibility

  The QMS is committed to full transparency. It is about defining quality criteria and justifying processes and documents in order to foster understanding and acceptance for the QMS processes and instruments. This principle is also reflected in action-oriented process descriptions that clearly outline tasks, responsibilities and interfaces, as well as in the designation of programme directors, QM officers and evaluation officers. This is necessary to enable resource- and goal-oriented action at a large university. A concise documentation system forms the basis for a transparent assessment of QM work and at the same time highlights the commitment to teaching and studies. The aim is to highlight specific initiatives and individuals who are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of study and teaching. In this way, the QMS contributes to a positive and supportive atmosphere for teaching and studies, to a university where best practices are shared, synergies between faculties are discovered, and everyone works together to further develop the quality of its degree programmes.

• Autonomy of faculties within a common framework

  A core aim of the University's QMS is to develop a common university-wide framework with plenty of creative freedom for the faculties in order to significantly impact the quality of the individual degree programmes. The QM regulations give the faculties room to manoeuver within a framework structure, allowing them to define additional subject-specific quality criteria and actively consider connections and synergies between different degree programmes in their QM work. All subject-specific agreements are laid down transparently by the faculties in their respective faculty regulations. This high degree of faculty autonomy is also reflected in the structures of the QMS. As experts in quality management, the faculty-level QM officers provide valuable support for QM work in their teaching units by advising the members of the Dean's Office, the programme directors, students and instructors on procedures and structures and by coordinating processes. They regularly exchange ideas between faculties in the QM network in order to further develop their own practices and university-wide QM. This is also where they exchange ideas with the QM supervisors who coordinate and maintain cross-faculty processes. The QMS thrives on a cooperative team structure that takes into account both general QM interests and subject-specific characteristics.

• Learning system

  The QMS at the University of Münster is the joint responsibility of all University members. It is a complex construct involving many different groups and committees and addressing multiple levels. It is therefore important to view the QMS itself as a learning system and to reflect on structures, processes and instruments. In university-wide dialogues, the faculties, administrative and service units, students and University management come together to cooperatively reflect on experiences, discuss new requirements and plan the further development of the QMS. Particularly within the framework of the QM network and the QMS conferences, the participants steadily work to improve the QMS and establish a common understanding of quality. This fundamental understanding of the QMS as a learning system thus takes into account the complexity and development of a university-wide culture of quality.

QMS responsibilities

All members and affiliates of the University of Münster share responsibility for the success of teaching and studies. To this end, the QMS was developed in close collaboration with the Rectorate, faculties, service facilities and administration.

Overall responsibility for the QMS

• Rectorate of the University of Münster

  The Rectorate assumes the overall responsibility for the QMS in teaching and studies, which includes all the associated evaluation procedures. It creates the necessary framework conditions at the central level and supports the faculties and all other teaching facilities with fulfilling the QMS requirements.

  The Rectorate makes all decisions related to degree programme accreditation (i.e. initial and reaccreditation, fulfilment of requirements, deadline extensions, significant changes).

Faculty-level QMS responsibilities

• Deans

  As the head of their faculties, the Deans are responsible for strategic direction, personnel matters, budget planning and quality assurance.

  They appoint a programme coordinator for each degree programme offered by the faculty. They also appoint at least one representative for quality management in teaching and studies (QM officer). 

  The Deans are responsible for complaints within the framework of QMS processes at the faculty level.

• Deans of Studies

  Deans of Studies are responsible for study and teaching matters within their respective faculties. In consultation with their Dean, they are responsible for the QMS in teaching and studies within the faculty and maintain close contact with the QM officer and the degree programme coordinators.

  If a faculty wishes to comment on an assessment from a quality assurance meeting (QAM) or on a recommendation for a decision by the Internal Accreditation Commission (IAC) during the internal accreditation process, the Dean of Studies submits the statement to the IAC office. 

• QM officers for teaching and studies

  Each dean at the University of Münster appoints at least one representative for quality management in teaching and studies in their faculty (QM officer). 

  If these tasks are not performed by the degree programme coordinator, the QM officers are responsible for planning the accreditation period, preparing for and following up on programme conferences, documenting measures in the quality development plan, providing the documents for the quality assurance meeting and applying for internal accreditation. 

  The QM officers share information with members of their faculty to ensure necessary coordination of QMS processes with the respective degree programme coordinator and the Dean of Studies. In addition, they coordinate QMS processes with the respective sections in Depts. 1 and 5. 

  Lastly, the QM officers are involved in the interdisciplinary QM network to facilitate exchange and to further develop the QMS.

• Degree programme coordinators

  The Dean appoints a degree programme coordinator for each degree programme in their faculty. The tasks of the degree programme coordinator include overall technical and strategic responsibility for quality assurance and development of the programme, overall technical and strategic responsibility for the integration of external expertise, and acting as a communications liaison between the degree programme and the faculty (“programme spokesperson”). To this end, they work closely with the QM officer in their faculty. 

  For combined degree programmes, the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies acts as the degree programme coordinator.

University-level QMS responsibilities

• Internal accreditation committee (IAC)

  The IAC formulates recommendations for the Rectorate to serve a basis for its accreditation decisions. The recommendations serve to ensure compliance with the criteria of the NRW Study Accreditation Ordinance, as well as compliance with the QM regulations of the University of Münster. 

  The IAC is comprised of 18 voting members in total, specifically one representative from each faculty and three student representatives. All members have a deputy.

  The IAC is supported in its tasks by an administrative office. This office coordinates the meetings, prepares the resolutions for internal accreditation by the Rectorate, and informs and advises the faculties on all questions of internal accreditation.

  Current members of the IAC:

  Faculty/Group	Member	Deputy
  01	Prof Dr Christophe Nihan	Dr Sarah Riegert
  02	Prof Dr Norbert Köster	Dr Guido Hunze
  03	Esther Gierse	Jan Niemann
  04	Prof Dr Bernd Kempa	Dr Sophie Stockhinger
  05	Dr Sarah Eligehausen	Prof Michael Krahn
  06	Prof Dr Matthias Freise	Dr Anna Katharina Hein
  07	Prof Dr Heiko Wagner	Dr Christel Dirksmeier
  08	Dr Susanne Pinkernell-Kreidt	Dr Thomas Tippach
  09	Prof Dr Tobias Leuker	Dr Monique Nagel-Angermann
  10	Dr Sebastian Posur	Dr Johanna Brandt
  11	Dr Jörg Schmalzl	Dr Daniel Laumann
  12	Prof Dr Klaus Langer	Prof Dr Monika Schönhoff
  13	PD Dr Patricia Göbel	Prof Dr Tillmann Buttschardt
  14	PD Dr Patricia Göbel	Prof Dr Tillmann Buttschardt
  15	Barbara Plenge	Malte Küster
  student	Simon Beckmann	Maximilian Peters
  student	Gurki Müller	Vladislavs Jegorkins
  student	Janis Jaspers	Addick Meinardus
  advisory member	Prof Dr Ulrike Weyland
  advisory member	Eva Mundanjohl

• Internal accreditation mediation council

  In the event of a conflict regarding an accreditation decision, the mediation council is responsible for mediating between the Rectorate and the faculty and submitting proposals for resolving the conflict. It can request statements and make recommendations to the Rectorate. The council is composed of four representatives from different faculties from the group of professors.

  In addition to the administrative office of the internal accreditation committee, the mediation council oversees internal accreditation procedures in the event of an objection.

  Members of the internal accreditation mediation council (term: 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2028)

  Prof Dr Regina Elsner, FB 02

  Prof Dr Regina Jucks, FB 07

  Prof Dr Eric Achermann, FB 09

  Prof Dr Jens Müller, FB 12

• Steering group for combined degree programmes (CDP)

  The CDP steering group oversees quality assurance and development for combined degree programmes. The chair of the CDP steering group is held by the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies, who also serves as the programme coordinator for combined degree programmes. The CDP steering group is comprised of experts on combined degree programmes and model-forming elements, as well as student representatives. Its members are appointed by the Rectorate. The CDP steering group meets on a regular basis. It functions as the degree programme conference for the combined degree programmes. An administrative office supports the group in meeting its tasks and responsibilities.

  Current members of the steering group:

  Prof Dr Ulrike Weyland

  Prof Dr Marion Bönnighausen

  Dr Anna Katharina Hein

  Dr hc Susanne Pinkernell-Kreidt

  Prof Dr Karolina Urton

  Prof Dr Christine Dimroth

  Prof Dr Nicola Meschede

  Prof Dr Stanislaw Schukajlow-Wasjutinski

  Prof Dr Annette Marohn

  Prof Dr Katja Driesel-Lange

  Prof Dr Dina El Omari

  Prof Dr Roland Ludger Scheel

  Isabell Tschierske, student

  Lena Rottbeck, student

  Kilian Nieleck, student

  Eva Mundanjohl

  Dr Iris Janßen

  Dr Jannis Bosch

• QMS idea and complaint office

  QMS-relevant ideas and complaints at the interdisciplinary or university-wide level should be addressed to the respective department head of academic and student affairs. The department head reviews incoming ideas and complaints and, if necessary, incorporates them into the ongoing QMS development process. 

• Quality of University Teaching (Dept. 1.4)

  Quality of University Teaching (Dept. 1.4) supports the faculties in developing and ensuring the quality of their degree programmes. This includes, in particular, advising on degree programme development, coordinating reviews of regulations when revising or developing new examination regulations, and coordinating and supporting quality assurance discussions. 

• QMS Office for Teaching and Studies (Dept. 1.8)

  The focus of the QMS Office for Teaching and Studies (Dept. 1.8) is on providing structural support for the QMS. The department coordinates the QM network and the processes for further developing the QMS. In addition, the administrative offices for the internal accreditation committee and for the combined degree programmes (CDP) are incorporated into Dept. 1.8.

• Strategic Planning and Academic Reporting (Dept. 5.3)

  Strategic Planning and Academic Reporting (Dept. 5.3) is responsible for the evaluation procedures and for providing relevant key figures and statistical data for the QMS process.

• QM for the further development of teaching

  In accordance with the Mission Statement on Study and Teaching and the Quality Management Regulations, the ongoing development of academic instruction within specific teaching and learning settings is also part of the Quality Management System (QMS). The system relies on regular course reviews with student participation (student course evaluations) and the targeted promotion and fundamental safeguarding of teaching competence. At the University of Münster, responsibility for high-quality teaching lies explicitly with the individual teaching staff. They are supported by a comprehensive range of advisory and professional development services offered by the Centre for Teaching in Higher Education (ZHL). 

• QM for the further development of student services

  Student services at the University of Münster regularly undergo evidence-based analysis and improvement. The term “student services” refers to all overarching programmes and services, through which the University supports and guides its students during their academic careers, including academic advising, application, admission, enrolment procedures, the organisation of teaching and studies, credit recognition and examination administration.

  The University's QMS assesses and improves the quality of student services at two levels: 

  1. Student services at the faculty level

  The student services offered at the faculty level are taken into account as part of the process for the further development of degree programmes. The degree programme conference serves as the central forum for addressing admission and enrolment procedures, academic advising, course scheduling, grading timelines and grade posting, course and exam registration and withdrawal, and credit recognition policies.

  2. General cross-faculty student services

  The QM cycle for cross-faculty student services provides that all central student services be evaluated with respect to functionality and performance at least twice during a system accreditation period. The starting point is a preliminary analysis conducted by the respective responsible units (in particular the Student Admissions Office, Student Advice and Counselling Centre (ZSB), Careers Service, Examination Office I and the Examination Office for Mathematics and Natural Sciences) with the aim of identifying strengths and areas for development and creating measures for quality assurance and development. The analysis is based on survey results, key performance indicators and statistics. The results of these preliminary analyses are compiled in the Student Services QM Report and submitted to the head of Dept. 1. There, the analyses and proposed QM measures are critically and constructively reviewed and aligned, and areas that require coordination are identified.

Contacts

• Faculty-level contacts

  The first point of contact for questions and concerns regarding faculty-level quality management are the respective QM officers. University members can find a list in the (password-protected) QM portal.

• University-level contacts

  If you have any general questions or concerns regarding QM in teaching and studies at the University of Münster, please contact qms@uni-muenster.de. Your inquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate contact who will then get in touch with you.

  As a member of the University, you will find specific contacts sorted by topic in the (password-protected) QM portal.