Course evaluations and course evaluation reports
Here you can read more about course evaluations and course evaluation reports and why they comprise an important part in the development of the courses at Lund University, but also of student influence.
- Course evaluation means that students in a course convey their views on and experiences of the course. This often takes place in the form of a survey.
- Course evaluation reports refer to the summary and documentation of the points of view of both the students and the teaching staff. This may also include other documents, e.g. exam results.
It is through the course evaluations that the students’ experiences of individual courses are captured. In the course evaluation reports, teaching staff and students identify what is to be done to improve the education. New general guidance for course evaluations and course evaluation reports has been approved by the vice-chancellor and entered into force on 17 January 2022.
Mandatory for all courses
Chapter 1 Section 14 of the Higher Education Ordinance stipulates that all students who participate in or who have completed a course shall be given the opportunity to express their experiences of the course and offer comments on it. It is the students’ right, but not an obligation, to express their opinions in a course evaluation.
The University is responsible for carrying out course evaluations
The Higher Education Ordinance stipulates that the University is responsible for ensuring that course evaluations are carried out, however, it does not prevent students and student organisations from rightfully playing an active part in its execution. This includes making sure that the issues students find most urgent are raised in the course evaluations.
According to the list of rights for students at Lund University, time should be set aside in the course for conducting course evaluations.
The results of the course evaluations shall be compiled
The Higher Education Ordinance specifies that the results of the course evaluations shall be compiled and made available to students. It is the responsibility of the University to inform about the results and the decisions on measures prompted by the course evaluations.
Course evaluation reports involve not only the students’ experiences of the course, but also those of the teaching staff. Exam results and their fluctuations over the semesters can also contribute to the overall course evaluation report.
Course evaluations are to take place anonymously
In accordance with the list of rights, students participating in course evaluations shall be kept anonymous in relation to teaching staff and examiners. Course evaluations therefore often take place in writing.
Some programmes have chosen to group all course evaluations from an entire semester into one occasion, thereby avoiding students having to answer too many surveys throughout the semester.
Online course evaluations
At Lund University, there is opportunity to make free use of the digital survey tool Sunet Survey, for course evaluations. The program can handle various phases of the work on course evaluations and course evaluation reports.
The program facilitates and streamlines the design of questionnaires, the collection of responses, provides students with feedback on the results, as well as enables the monitoring of results over time.
Contact
In the first instance, you can turn to your department.
For general questions, please contact:
Åsa Ekberg
Head of Office
Education Strategy Support
+46 46 222 91 68
asa [dot] ekberg [at] stu [dot] lu [dot] se