2003:2 R

Evaluation of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in archaeology at Swedish institutions of higher education

On the basis of the report submitted by the panel of assessors, the National Agency is able to determine that the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in archaeology that have been reviewed maintain good quality. For this reason the National Agency sees no reason to question the right of any of the institutions evaluated to award degrees: Gothenburg University, Gotland University College, the University College of Kalmar, Lund University, Mid-Sweden University College, Stockholm University, Södertörn University College, Umeå University and Uppsala University.

The panel of assessors begins its report with a presentation of the frame of reference that provided the premises for its evaluation. In the section on common issues the panel then deals with observations that it considers apply to several of the institutions. In its discussion of organisational questions stress is laid, for instance, on the importance of developing strategies to prepare the institutions to face changes and of using external funding so that programmes benefit as well. The panel also recommends the institutions to improve the provision of information to staff and students, not least in order to improve students´ possibilities of exercising their right to influence the development of programmes for instance.

In a number of contexts the panel returns to the importance of adequately presenting the breadth of archaeology as a subject that embodies several different perspectives. This is important, for instance, in small and homogenous environments and also in discussions about the requirements for training in different specialisation within archaeology and how programmes should be organised. In the section on undergraduate programme, the panel goes on to raise the level and the clarity of the requirements applying to courses and essays, and how supervision is provided and essays assessed.

The panel comes to the conclusion that in many cases the institutions need to take further measures to adapt local requirements for postgraduate courses to the 1998 reform. More active use should be made of individual syllabuses. A better balance should be created between the large numbers of postgraduate students and the limited supply of supervisors at several institutions. The application process and criteria for selection to postgraduate programmes should be amended to provide genuine opportunities for students to move from undergraduate courses at one institution to postgraduate studies at another.