Section 10: Module and Programme Evaluations Policy

Published for 2023-24

10.1 Continuous Module Dialogue

10.2 Annual Programme Level Evaluations

10.1 Continuous Module Dialogue

1.	A continuous module dialogue process should take place throughout the running of all taught modules. The purpose of this is to encourage regular dialogue between staff and students, thereby ensuring the student voice is heard, misunderstandings are clarified, and staff are able to make any required changes or reinforce information before the module ends.
2.	The dialogue process should take place no fewer than 3-4 times per term between the start and end of the module.  This should replace any end of module evaluations (MEQs) unless there are any additional external accrediting body requirements.
3.	The dialogue should be initiated by asking students a small number of questions in a pulse survey within a synchronous session, initially focusing on the key areas of teaching, resources and assessment information (suggested questions are provided in the guidance) and then discussing the results. The results will be available in real time and will be the prompt for staff-student dialogue in that or the following session.
4.	It is recommended that staff use Mentimeter to poll students, and staff can adapt the focus of questions as the module progresses and the outcomes from the dialogue process become clear.
5.	There is no requirement to report the results of the pulse surveys beyond the module, but staff should use the results to engage in a dialogue with students so that changes can be made or a rationale given if a change is not appropriate.
6.	Departments (or faculties, where appropriate) are responsible for capturing that a module dialogue process has taken place and any resulting changes. Responsibility for delivering the module dialogue process rests with the department and there are no central reporting requirements, however it is recommended that the Continuous Module Dialogue Capture survey template (provided in the guidance and tools) is disseminated by the department to Module Leaders and this information is used to complete the Departmental Summary Form (Annex 9.10.1).

10.2 Annual Programme Level Evaluations

1.	All taught students will be given the opportunity to reflect on their programme as a whole and provide feedback on their experience at key points during their time at UCL through the following surveys: New to UCL (all new students) Annual Programme Evaluation (APE) for all continuing undergraduate students and postgraduate taught students National Student Surveys (NSS) for undergraduate finalists PGT NSS for all postgraduates
2.	Annual programme evaluations (APE) will be managed and analysed centrally and will replace any existing locally managed programme surveys, except where these are required for external compliance.
3.	As part of APE, students will be able to see a list of the modules they have taken and will be given the opportunity to reflect on the programme as a whole as well as any particular modules they wish to highlight through a free text response.
4.	Departments will be asked to support central efforts to collate all programme level evaluations by reminding students to complete surveys and including links to summaries of changes made in response to previous feedback.
5.	Evaluation results will be analysed by Education Services and then disseminated back to departments for discussion and circulation as per the existing process for NSS and New to UCL.
6.	Each department must have in place mechanisms for closing the feedback loop, whereby students are informed of any actions which have been taken in response to the programme evaluation. Whilst the final responsibility for this rests with the department, it is recommended that the closing the feedback loop guidance should be followed to ensure the ongoing feedback cycle is supported.

Recent Changes

A guide to changes to the regulations are available from the Recent Changes page.