The goal of ensuring continuous and systematic monitoring in the area of study and teaching as a basis for subsequent analysis and change processes requires the use of a systematically structured and systemically designed set of evaluation tools. The development and use of a homogeneous evaluation system, i.e., a set of interrelated elements (= instruments) that interact with each other for the purpose of adequately describing the “quality of teaching” is the goal of the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern. The design, development, discussion, and implementation of each individual instrument is therefore not understood as an isolated task, but is always carried out in conjunction with the other elements of the system.

As a result, the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern does not have a disjointed collection of evaluation tools, but rather a modular and coherently designed “teaching evaluation system” that specifically relates to the core process of “studying and teaching” and, when viewed in the overall context, can be understood as an element of a comprehensive quality management system (QMS).

The respective student-related evaluation tools are used throughout the “student life cycle” from the start of studies to graduation and provide important data that is incorporated into quality assurance and development in teaching. Specifically, the following main instruments are currently included in the teaching evaluation system, which are further differentiated into sub-instruments where necessary. The international nature of the courses offered and the student body is also taken into account by providing English-language versions of the instruments:

In addition to these instruments, which are used regularly and uniformly across the institution, further surveys with a specific focus are conducted on a case-by-case or periodic basis. These surveys address specific questions and topics or, for example, take individual circumstances in a degree program into account more specifically.

Furthermore, the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern also participates in federal and European surveys on the subject or in rankings on a case-by-case basis, thereby gaining additional comparative data that is also incorporated into quality management.