Quality Management in Teaching

  © Michael Heuters

Since 2008, RWTH Aachen has committed itself to a guided, strategic development process to expand quality assurance in teaching.

 

What is good teaching?

RWTH Aachen's dedication to good teaching is not only evident and confirmed by its successful performance in competitions. A significant factor is the common understanding that qualitative, excellent teaching should be a part of a high-performing university's self-image. The question of excellence must be answered individually in each course of study. Quality assurance makes a significant contribution to this issue. It systematically collects feedback from persons involved, makes this feedback available to responsible parties, students, and interested public, and promotes necessary measures. Furthermore, processes in studies and teaching are defined and illustrated in a transparent manner for all those involved.

RWTH's understanding of good teaching goes beyond collecting data and discussing the results. It is significantly shaped by the dedicated work of all those involved in studies and teaching. This was confirmed in particular by the university-wide Teaching Quality Objectives, which RWTH Aachen developed and approved and the Teaching and Learning Mission Statement. A quality management system is being developed based on these goals in a process that involves all of the faculties and status groups.

 

How is quality ensured?

RWTH Aachen uses the PDCA circuit to guide the processes in studies and teaching.

 

• Plan: Determine quality goals
• Do: Select and implement suitable measures and processes
• Check: Measure results and effects using QM instruments
• Act: Develop and implement recommendations for action

 

 

System Accreditation

RWTH Aachen University has an accredited internal quality assurance system since 2018. Currently, RWTH Aachen University is in the process of re-accreditation to maintain this status beyond September 30, 2024.

The certification of system accreditation at RWTH means that the University is now officially in a position of evaluate and certify its courses of study, which results in an increase in autonomy. Formally, this means that individual or program-specific accreditation by external agencies are no longer required. RWTH has been certified to be able to evaluate and certify its degree programs with its quality management system as well as its procedures and instruments for quality assurance in teaching and learning. The system also drives continuous improvement in the quality of study and teaching.