Academic Programme Quality supports NWU’s commitment to evidence-informed quality assurance, quality enhancement and continuous improvement across the academic project. The function coordinates and supports internal and external evaluation and review processes for qualifications, programmes, subject-in-programmes, thematic reviews, and national or professional body reviews, in collaboration with faculties, schools, programme teams, subject groups, panel members and relevant professional support environments.
The focus is not only on compliance, but on supporting reflective, developmental and evidence-based engagement with the quality, relevance, sustainability and impact of NWU’s academic offerings.
How we support faculties
Academic Programme Quality provides guidance and support related to evaluation processes, timelines, documentation, evidence requirements, panel preparation, reporting, improvement planning and governance submissions.
The role is facilitative, collaborative and developmental in nature, supporting faculties and schools in strengthening quality as a shared institutional responsibility and ongoing enhancement process.
Internal Programme Evaluations
Internal Programme Evaluations (IPE) support faculties and schools in critically reflecting on the quality, relevance, efficiency and sustainability of qualifications, programmes and subject-in-programmes. The IPE process includes self-evaluation, evidence gathering, completion of the Self-Evaluation Report, and development of an improvement plan to guide continuous enhancement.
External Programme Evaluations
External Programme Evaluations provide an independent peer-review perspective on selected programmes or subject-in-programmes following the internal evaluation process. These evaluations are conducted by external experts and focus on verifying quality assurance processes, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and supporting further enhancement through peer recommendations and improvement planning.
Post-EPE Improvement Planning
Following an external evaluation, programme teams or subject groups develop or refine improvement plans based on the findings and recommendations of the external (peer) panel. These plans are approved through faculty structures and tabled through institutional governance processes to support accountability, implementation, monitoring and follow-up.
Thematic, National and Professional Body Reviews
Academic Programme Quality also supports reviews that extend beyond standard IPE and EPE processes, including thematic reviews, national reviews, statutory and professional body evaluations, accreditation visits and related quality assurance engagements. These processes help ensure that NWU’s academic offerings remain aligned with institutional priorities, national expectations and professional requirements.
Faculty Quality Manuals
Faculty Quality Manuals (FQM) document how quality management is operationalised within each faculty. They describe faculty-specific structures, processes, responsibilities, procedures, quality assurance mechanisms, risk identification, records and continuous improvement practices. The FQM is a living document that supports staff orientation, institutional memory, consistency, and evidence-based quality management.
Evidence, Governance and Continuous Improvement
A key part of this function is supporting the use of evidence, institutional data, panel (peer) feedback, faculty reflection and improvement planning to strengthen academic quality. This includes coordination with faculty quality coordinators, programme leaders, subject chairpersons, school directors, professional support units and the relevant institutional committees.