EXTERNAL REVIEW
“Institutions should undergo external quality assurance in line with the ESG on a cyclical basis.”
(ESG, Standard 1.10)
External review is embedded in the institutional Academic Quality Framework and guided by the ESG, NU External Review Policy, and internal School regulations.
What is External Review for?
External review provides an impartial and independent assessment of the quality of education delivery to ensure it is internationally benchmarked and consistently maintained. It also informs further enhancements of various aspects of academic processes by offering new perspectives.
Forms of External Review at NU
- International benchmarking of the curriculum;
- Involvement of external reviewers in programme approval, annual monitoring, and periodic review;
- Programm accreditation;
- Institutional evaluation;
- Engagement of external examiners to ensure the rigour of assessment practices.
Principles of External Review
- Consistency;
- Professional ethics;
- Independence;
- Transparency.
Our External Reviewers
NU’s external reviewers have the required expertise and experience in the area to be reviewed, including:
- Strategic partners;
- Subject area experts;
- Accreditation bodies and professional associations;
- Potential employers;
- Guest speakers and visiting scholars;
- Alumni, and other relevant stakeholders.
External Review Process
External review at NU can include an online programme review, site visits, or a series of interviews with key stakeholders, including students. The format of external review, the agenda, and the involved parties are subject to approval by the Dean and/or relevant Committees.
External review results in a formal report identifying key successes and improvement areas, complemented with some recommendations. The core of the process is not the review per se, but rather, the implementation of these suggestions.
NU underwent a university-level review by the Institutional Evaluation Program (IEP) of the European University Association (EUA). The evaluation sought to ensure compliance with the ESG standards. Please read more about the process and outcomes of the evaluation here.
NU programmes prepare for accreditation by aligning themselves with accreditation requirements and undertaking self-reflection activities. The process of programme accreditation is managed by the Schools and supported by the Institutional Effectiveness Team of the Office of the Provost.
Our accredited programmes are:
- Master’s programmes in Public Administration and in Public Policy - the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA) agency.
- The NU Foundation Year Program (English for Academic Purposes Program) - the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP).
For more information regarding programme accreditation, please visit the relevant Schools’ websites.
