Quality in study programmes

Tools for quality work at study programme level

• Establishing new study programmes

  Requirements and the authority to establish new study programmes and make changes to programme and course descriptions are set out in OsloMet's Guidelines for establishing new study programmes and drawing up programme and course descriptions (student.oslomet.no)

  When new study programmes are to be established, they are subject to a thorough formal approvals process, the purpose of which is to ensure that the programme meets the requirements for accreditation of programmes offered, as provided for in the Regulations concerning Quality Assurance in Higher Education and the Academic Supervision Regulations, and the specific requirements of each individual institution. A similar process may also be required where substantial changes are made to an existing study programme, e.g. where a new programme option is introduced in a subject area that is not part of the programme. 

• Continuous quality assessment

  To ensure that all study programmes continue to meet requirements laid down by law or regulation (regulations, guidelines), substantial changes to established programmes must be subject to an assessment of their impact on the quality of the study programme. A brief summary of substantial changes and assessments made in that connection is to be included in the study programme report in connection with the annual quality reporting. Any action taken to ensure that the study programme continues to meet the requirements of laws and regulations must also be mentioned there. 

  Changes to the following are considered to be substantial changes:

  • Funding
  • Number of enrolments possible
  • Requirements in laws and regulations (including the national curriculum)
  • The academic environment relating to the study programme (e.g. academic staff leaving, a need for recruitment or competence-raising)
  • Internationalisation schemes
  • Practical training schemes
  • Programme description – as a consequence of major alterations to the study programme

• Student surveys

  Every year, OsloMet conducts three questionnaire surveys at programme level among its own students:

  • Start-of-study survey,
  • Final-year-students survey 
  • PhD survey

  OsloMet also conducts regular candidate surveys to find out how satisfied those who completed their studies at OsloMet are with the education they have received, with an emphasis on job relevance. In following up the study programmes, active use is also made of the results of national surveys such as the national student survey ('Studiebarometeret') and the health and well-being survey ('SHoT'). See results from analysis (ansatt.oslomet.no)

• Periodic evaluation

  Bachelor's, master's and researcher training programmes and other complete programmes with a scope of 60–120 credits must be evaluated no later than three years after the programme started up and every sixth year thereafter; see the provisions set out in OsloMet's Guidelines for periodic evaluations (ansatt.oslomet.no)
   
  The purpose of periodic evaluation is to assess and assure quality and contribute to further development of the study programme, including whether the programme is adapted to societal and labour market competence needs. The evaluation is in two parts:

  • self-evaluation by the academic environment, including verification of meeting the requirements laid down in the Academic Supervision Regulations;
  • external evaluation carried out by an independent expert committee. 

  The self-evaluation must be completed before the mandate for the expert committee is established. 

• Annual quality report at study programme level

  A quality report must be prepared annually for all study programmes. The report is to provide an overview and a status assessment of relevant quality indicators at programme level (the indicator set), the results of course reports, student surveys and any other evaluations. 

  The report must contain a description and assessment of the quality of education offered in the given study programme, with an emphasis on selected topics. It must also include an assessment of whether all applicable study programme requirements are met, and propose an itemised time schedule of prioritised measures. 

  Minimum requirements for reporting are defined by the Department of Academic Affairs in a reporting template. A separate, slightly simplified reporting template is available for programmes of further education. See toolbox for quality reporting (ansatt.oslomet.no)

• Annual quality report at department level

  All departments must annually prepare a quality report containing an overall assessment of the quality of programmes and courses offered by the department, with an emphasis on selected topics, an assessment of whether all applicable course and study programme requirements are met, and a proposed itemised time schedule of prioritised measures. 

  Minimum requirements for reporting are defined by the Department of Academic Affairs in a reporting template. See toolbox for quality reporting (ansatt.oslomet.no)

  The head of department is responsible for the annual quality report at the department level.

• Internal supervision/re-accreditation of study programmes

  If requested or if there is a need for special follow-up of specific study programmes, the Education Committee may decide to initiate internal supervision; see OsloMet's Guidelines for internal supervision of study programmes (ansatt.oslomet.no) The rector may also initiate follow-up of the quality of education offered in individual study programmes. 

  Internal supervision consists of the following processes:

  • thematic follow-up, if it is desirable to focus on a particular theme;
  • needs-led supervision, if deficient quality is suspected. Such supervision may entail a decision on re-accreditation.