Review of the quality of education at the University of Iceland

The Quality Board for Icelandic Higher Education, comprised of six foreign experts operating under the Ministry of Education and Culture, has completed an extensive review of the quality of studies at the University of Iceland. The review is part of the Board‘s regular observations on the quality of Icelandic universities, focusing on students, educational facilities and degrees. The University of Iceland is the sixth university to undergo such a review.

The review is in two parts, on the one hand a self-review by the University, and on the other hand an external review by a international expert team. The self-review was concluded last year by the publication of an extensive self-review report, and an action plan intended to further enhance quality assurance and quality culture at the University. Subsequently the expert team visited campus. This team consisted of five foreign experts and one student representative. The group met with 170 people over a period of three days in January 2015; University staff and students, as well as members of the business community. 

The University received the primary results of the review immediately after its conclusion. These results showed that the Board has confidence in the University of Iceland, both regarding the degrees it issues and student facilities. This is the optimum outcome in a first review, according to current rules. 

The review commends the University of Iceland for academic strength and good practices, for example in the establishment of the University’s Graduate School; the Centre for Teaching and Learning‘s contribution to improved teaching; active participation by students in University politics; the University community‘s reaction to the economic downturn of 2008; improved research activity; development and implementation of information systems; good student counselling and student support, and for diligence in the work on the self-review by faculties and interdisciplinary programmes. The assessment team notes room for improvement concerning masters studies; clarifying admission criteria; differences between full time and part time students; policies concerning IT as a teaching tool; balancing incentive systems concerning teaching vis a vis research; systematic follow-up of teaching surveys; improved conditions for sessional teachers, and possibilities concerning more focused programmes on the doctoral level. 

The conclusions of the review will be presented at an open conference at the University 8 June. The University will furthermore publish a report within a year wherein it will explain reactions to the review‘s findings.