Assurance of Learning (AoL)

The AoL process is built on the competency goals and learning outcomes that have been established for all of the degree programmes at Hanken. The competency goals define the broad competencies that Hanken expects all students to attain during their studies, irrespective of degree programme. Programme specific learning outcomes specify what the competency goals entail for each programme. The learning outcomes define the specific knowledge and skills that students are expected to have once they graduate from a degree programme. The learning outcomes show the expected development in competencies as students progress between degree levels (from Bachelor’s to Master’s to Doctoral).

The degree programmes at Hanken share five key competency goals, which define competencies that are key for students at Hanken to learn irrespective of degree programme: 

1. Knowledge in economic sciences
2. Analytical and critical thinking skills
3. Communication skills
4. International competencies
5. Sustainability competencies

For an overview of the learning outcomes for all Hanken’s degree programmes, see the following documents:

The AoL competency goals and learning outcomes should be considered in the curriculum planning to ensure that all Hanken students attain these central competencies, at the level specified in the learning outcomes. Degree programmes should be planned so that the established learning outcomes for a programme can be attained. The focus is on the programme as a whole; learning outcomes are addressed to varying extents in different majors and courses.

Curriculum maps are used to ensure that competency goals and learning outcomes are addressed to a sufficient extent within a programme. A curriculum map provides an overview of the courses in a programme in which the programme’s learning outcomes are covered. Curriculum maps are created during the curriculum planning every second year (see: Teachers’ responsibilities, section: Curriculum planning).

Curriculum maps are maintained for Hanken’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. Templates are used as the basis for the maps; see: Hanken curriculum map templates.

The learning outcomes for the different degree programmes are monitored through a number of measures, through which data are collected on how well students attain the established goals. Assessment is conducted at various assessment points, primarily theses as well as different surveys. The measures consist mainly of direct measures, but also indirect measures. 

The table below summarises the assessment points used for AoL in Hanken’s various degree programmes. An overview of all measures used can be found in Hanken’s AoL reporting (see section: “Reporting and follow up”).

The most significant assessment points used in Hanken’s AoL processes are the assessment rubrics for Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and the EMBA development project (thesis). These are used both for the evaluation of theses and for measuring several of the learning outcomes in the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and EMBA programmes. The same rubrics are used across all programmes/majors at the same degree level.

See the following documents for the assessment rubrics:

For supervisors

Supervisors must fill in theses assessments in the corresponding Webropol-forms. For more information and links to the forms, see: Assessment of theses.

The learning outcomes of the programmes are closely monitored, and both programmes and processes are continuously developed to support student learning. At the end of each academic year, AoL reports are compiled and reviewed by various bodies at Hanken (see section: “Division of responsibilities”).

AoL reporting is done at the programme level; it is not individual students who are assessed, but rather the content and structure of the degree programmes.

Development over time is followed up in an AoL assessment plan, which tracks how well the learning outcomes in the different programmes have been attained and documents plans for development.

The division of responsibilities in Hanken’s AoL processes is summarised in the table below.

The AoL work at Hanken is headed by the Committee for AoL and Quality (AoLQ Committee). The committee’s responsibilities include proposing revisions to Hanken’s AoL processes, monitoring AoL results, and identifying development needs. The committee consists of faculty, staff, and students. The committee is appointed by the Rector and has a term of three years.

Decisions concerning Hanken’s AoL processes are decided on by the Education Council (EC). The Education Council is accountable for Hanken’s AoL processes, approves revisions to AoL processes, and approves changes to degree programmes. Strategic changes are addressed and decided upon by the Academic Council (AC).

Decisions on changes to the curriculum of degree programmes are made based on proposals from the Department Councils. For matters concerning the Doctoral programme, decisions are made based on proposals from the Doctoral Studies Council. For matters concerning the EMBA programme, decisions go through the EMBA Council.

Hanken’s AoL processes are coordinated by the Quality Assurance team in collaboration with Teaching Lab. If you have questions about Hanken’s AoL processes, you can contact aol@hanken.fi. 

Departments, subjects, and programme committees are consulted on matters concerning the development of Hanken’s AoL processes and are provided with AoL results relevant to their majors and programmes. All AoL reports are shared with the Rectorate.