The University of Agder is an open and inclusive university with clear and future-oriented education management at all levels. Quality work is an essential part of the management of education, anchored in the university’s strategy and in the academic fields that constitute the basis of the university’s study programme portfolio. Quality work should be characterised by a culture of cooperation in the meeting between employees, students, working life and society.
Quality work is a continuous process that will contribute to developing the study programmes. The quality assurance system describes the quality work in courses, study programmes and the study portfolio as well as quality work linked to administrative services and follow-up of employees.
The quality assurance system is to contribute to the realisation of the overall aims of the quality work in that it facilitates for systematic efforts regarding further development of courses, study programmes and programme portfolio. The quality assurance system comprises all education that is offered at UiA, from the bachelor’s to the PhD level, and includes continuing and further education.
The quality assurance system is to stimulate and ensure regular assessment of the quality of the existing course – and study programme portfolio, as well as facilitate the development of new courses and study programmes. The system will promote sharing of experience and dissemination of successful practices. Procedures for follow-up of evaluations, revealing quality failures and implementation of quality raising measures are also included in the system.
The Act relating to Universities and University Colleges directs the institutions to have a system of quality assurance that secures and further develops the quality of their educations. The act also requires that student evaluations are a part of the system. Also, there are a number of constraints on quality work and requirements to the quality assurance system incorporated in national and local regulations, primarily in
Regulations relating to quality assurance and quality development in higher education (KD)
Regulations relating to supervision of education quality in higher education (NOKUT)
Examination Regulations at the University of Agder
PhD regulations at the University of Agder
The quality assurance system at the University of Agder is organised in the following manner:
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter two: Quality work objectives
Chapter three: Roles, responsibilities and tasks
Chapter four: Processes and reports
Chapter five: Training and follow-up of employees
Materials also include mandates, guidelines, report templates, checklists, forms etc.
The quality assurance system will be reexamined and, if necessary, revised at least every fourth year. The university’s Academic Affairs Committee will be consulted in the process. The University Director may stipulate editorial changes.
Definitions:
Study programme: a unit of study consisting of a collection of courses with a common set of learning outcomes which is offered for application and admission to students. Programme categories: bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes as well as one-year and half-year programmes.
Education offered: generic term for study programmes and courses
Free-standing courses: courses that are not part of a study programme
Practical training: systematic instruction at a place of practical training where the student acquires practical competence under supervision by a person with relevant education and work experience.
The term ‘practical training’ in the quality assurance system includes both practice governed by National Curriculum regulations and practice which is not governed by National Curriculum regulations.