Quality Board for Icelandic Higher Education

Chapter IV of the Higher Education Institution Act no. 63/2006 explains how quality assurance of teaching and research shall be conducted, with more detailed provisions given in Regulation no. 321/2009. The Minister has assigned the Quality Board for Icelandic Higher Education the task of following up quality assurance. The Quality Board set forth the Icelandic Quality Enhancement Framework (QEF), which stipulates the systematic review of the quality of Icelandic higher education institutions on a regular basis. The review involves internal reviews (self-reviews) within universities on the one hand, and on the other hand external reviews of the universities by the Quality Board. The first phase of the Framework (QEF1) lasted from 2010-2016. All 25 faculties of the University of Iceland as well as two interdisciplinary units carried out the required self-reviews. The University as a whole submitted a self-review report in the autumn of 2014. Following this, external experts conducted an assessment, resulting in a separate report. The University has since submitted a so-called follow-up report, detailing how comments from external experts have been addressed. The period 2017-2023 marks the second phase of the Framework (QEF2). The institution-led subject reviews focused in particular on the quality of study programs as well as research management. Quality assessment is based on the Quality Board's Quality Enhancement Handbook. Moreover, separate instructions have been prepared for University staff. Universities are expected to publish on their institution’s websites an abstract of the SLRs Reports including a summary of the mail conclusions of the review and actions to be taken.

Reports from Subject-Level Reviews

Centre of Public Health Sciences Environment and Natural Resources Faculty of Business Administration Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty of Earth Sciences Faculty of Economics Faculty of Education and Diversity Faculty of Education and Pedagogy Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies Faculty of History and Philosophy Faculty of Languages and Cultures Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Law Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Nursing Faculty of Odontology Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Physical Sciences Faculty of Political Science Faculty of Psychology Faculty of Social Work Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics Faculty of Subject Teacher Education Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies PhD Studies at the School of Education

Organisation of quality assurance

The Rector is responsible for the implementation of the University's quality assurance system, whereas school deans, faculty heads, directors, and managing directors hold responsibility for the quality of operations within their respective operating units. The role of the University Council Quality Committee is to ensure the quality of teaching and learning, research as well as governance at the University of Iceland. This involves supporting the formal University quality assurance system and enhancing quality culture within the University. A formal statement of duties defines the Quality Committee's responsibilities. The Committee works closely with other parties involved in central quality assurance management within the University, such as the Academic Affairs Committee, the Science Committee, central administration, school administration, and those service units under its auspices. The University's Director of Quality Management follows up decisions taken by the Quality Committee. The Director works on improving the quality culture within the University of Iceland in line with the University's Strategy and implements the Quality Enhancement Framework.

Teaching and course evaluation

The Division of Academic Affairs oversees implementation of the teaching evaluation survey and the Centre for Teaching and Learning offers advice on interpreting results and planning possible measures in response. About the teaching and course evaluation

Quality Assurance

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The formal quality assurance system at the University of Iceland (The UI QA system) covers the University’s core activities and support services. The QA system describes quality assurance policy, accountability, implementation, supervision and follow-up of internal quality assurance at UI. The UI QA system is based on the UI Quality Assurance Policy and is a tool employed in implementing the policy.

The rector and the University Council are accountable for the UI QA system, whereas school deans, faculty heads, division directors, and managing directors are accountable for the quality of activities within their respective units.

The role of the University Council’s Strategy and Quality Assurance Board is to guarantee and enhance the quality of study programmes and teaching, research and governance at the University of Iceland. This involves, e.g., strengthening the UI QA system and enhancing quality culture within the University. UI’s director of strategy and quality management will follow up decisions made by the Strategy and Quality Assurance Board.

The Icelandic Agency for Quality Assurance (IAQA) is responsible for external evaluations looking at the effectiveness of the UI QA system. An institution-wide review (IWR) is conducted in each cycle of the Quality Enhancement Framework for Icelandic Higher Education (QEF), with annual monitoring of how UI follows up the IWR.

The formal QA system for the University of Iceland is based on the Higher Education Institution Act no. 63/2006, which defines the role of higher education institutions and the requirements for accreditation in Iceland. In accordance with the law, the government establishes rules for the monitoring of teaching and research quality in universities (Regulation no. 1165/2024).

Procedures for internal and external evaluations are set out in this Regulation. They state that universities are responsible for conducting internal quality reviews as part of their formal QA systems in teaching and research. The government, however, will appoint an independent agency, IAQA, which will be responsible for monitoring the quality of teaching and research as well as shaping and developing the QEF. IAQA publishes guidelines for internal and external evaluations in a handbook published before each cycle of the QEF.
Further provisions for accreditation and withdrawal of accreditation are laid out in the Regulation on the Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions no. 1067/2006, on the basis of the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006.

The main purpose of the UI QA system is to ensure that the University meets the expectations of internal and external stakeholders, complies with laws and regulations, documents roles and accountability, manages risks and identifies opportunities for improvement.

The UI QA system ensures that the UI QA Policy is implemented with regular checks and reviews, allowing a cycle of continuous improvement, the PCDA cycle, see Image 1.

Picture showing structure of Formal QA system at the University of Iceland

Accountability and roles within the formal UI QA system regarding the quality of study programmes, teaching and research are described in the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. In accordance with this Regulation, the rector of UI and the University Council establish the formal QA system and are also accountable for it. In accordance with the Regulation, school deans are accountable for the quality of teaching and research within their school and faculty heads, in consultation with the school dean, are accountable for the organisation of study programmes and the quality of teaching and research within their faculty.

The role of central administration is to enable schools, faculties, University institutes and University personnel to perform their duties in accordance with laws and regulations.

The formal UI QA system is designed to follow up UI’s QA Policy. The QA system is based on the QA Policy and is a tool employed in implementing the policy. Implementation is ensured through University Council regulations and QA documents in UI’s Quality Enhancement Handbook. These documents define actions and accountability in greater detail and ensure consistent QA procedures, internal review and monitoring of core activities and follow up to create a PCDA cycle.

Picture showing Structure of the UI QA system and how it relates to external requirements

Internal quality assurance

Within the formal UI QA system, there are two kinds of internal quality assurance. The first is ongoing monitoring, which is a continuous process of systematically monitoring key data. The second is thorough periodic review. Periodic review falls into two categories: period unit reviews and periodic study programme reviews.

Ongoing monitoring

Ongoing monitoring is a continuous and systematic process based on reviewing data and reflecting on good practice, areas for improvement and how to introduce reforms.

Accountable parties within units (i.e. schools, faculties and central administration) and other experts, nominated by accountable parties, will monitor key data about activities within their units. Data will be reviewed as it becomes available throughout the academic year, in an appropriate setting, e.g. at a faculty meeting or another setting determined by accountable parties.

Each unit will produce an annual report on the main monitoring results, including an updated action plan. See Table 1. Procedures for ongoing monitoring are also described in greater detail in VLR 1240 Ongoing monitoring in the UI Quality Enhancement Handbook

Periodic review

Periodic review is based on ongoing monitoring. Periodic review will involve thorough analysis aimed at exploring the need for significant changes. The results of periodic reviews are published in reports.

Central administration, schools and study programmes must undergo periodic reviews, at least once every cycle of the QEF, in accordance with the current QEF Handbook.

School deans, in consultation with the school board and faculty heads, will set and follow up plans for periodic study programme reviews as well as plans for periodic reviews within the school’s units.

Periodic study programme reviews

The aim of a study programme review is to discover whether any changes are required, whether there is cause to discontinue the programme or merge it with other programmes.

Periodic reviews of schools and other units

Periodic school reviews will involve thorough analysis of how standards are being upheld and whether any significant changes are required. School reviews are based on monitoring reports from faculties and interdisciplinary units and other units as appropriate, see Table 1.

Findings are presented in periodic review reports. Procedures are described in greater detail in VLR 1234 Periodic review, in the UI Quality Enhancement Handbook.

External quality assurance

The University of Iceland is required to periodically produce self-evaluation reports on the effectiveness of the UI QA system and undergo IWRs. Internal quality assurance is based on periodic school review reports, other available reports, as well as key data about UI activities.

The government assigns responsibility for external quality assurance to IAQA. Reviews are conducted in accordance with the QEF and described in the QEF Handbook published by IAQA. Institution-wide reviews are conducted once for each cycle of the QEF.

There are two aspects of external quality assurance: regular IWRs and annual quality dialogues. The aim of an IWR is to conduct an unbiased evaluation of the effectiveness of quality management at the University. There are three stages to an IWR: the University delivers a self-evaluation report, following which the review panel makes a site visit and then delivers a report on its findings.

The annual quality dialogue allows IAQA to monitor the University’s follow-up to the IWR.

Purpose

The University of Iceland Quality Assurance Policy (UI QA Policy) is designed to guarantee and enhance the quality of University activities. The QA Policy provides a roadmap for staff and students and supports the Strategy of UI.

The QA Policy lays the foundation for UI’s formal QA system. It describes the University’s focuses and goals regarding quality assurance for core activities, in order to best meet the expectations of students, the University community and external stakeholders.

The QA Policy is based on the University’s core values of academic freedom, equality and professionalism, as well as its Strategy and Code of Ethics. The policy is also informed by the Standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

Accountability and roles

The rector and the University Council set the UI QA Policy and the director of strategy and quality management is accountable for its implementation. Staff and students are responsible for putting the QA Policy into action.

Objectives

UI will comply with domestic and international standards for the quality of higher education.
The activities of UI will comply with the ESG, the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006, and any regulations established on the basis of this Act.

UI will implement systematic internal quality assurance procedures in teaching and research.
Internal quality assurance for UI’s core activities will take place within schools, faculties, departments and other units as appropriate.

UI will implement strategic management to create a PCDA cycle
The UI Strategy will be implemented in consideration of internal quality assurance within organisational units. Internal quality assurance will support implementation of the University’s strategic goals.

Decision making within UI will be based on reliable data
Reliable key data and information will be collected regularly. Performance will be evaluated and decisions taken on the basis of this data and information.

UI will employ standardised and transparent procedures
Procedures will be standardised and systematic. Accountable parties will be clearly documented for procedures that are shared across UI units.

Internal and external stakeholders will be actively involved in implementing the QA Policy
Staff, students and external stakeholders will be actively involved in regular improvements within UI.

Implementation and review

The formal UI QA system is based on the UI QA Policy and is designed to ensure its implementation. The success of QA Policy implementation will be evaluated every five years by the Strategy and Quality Assurance Board and reviewed in accordance with the results of internal and external quality assurance.