The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) confirmed the quality of our MSc PSTS program and published the report from the visitation online. Some highlights from the NVAO report:
Standard 1. Intended Learning Outcomes
"In the panel’s view, the master’s programme in Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society has a unique, clear, and distinctive profile in the global educational arena. The programme attracts students with diverse backgrounds in technology, social sciences and philosophy, who strive to critically analyse and evaluate the role of technology and science in society from a philosophical perspective. The Ethics and Technology track and the linked Business Administration and Public Administration trajectories supplement the PSTS’s distinctive profile well. The programme’ profile is translated into a comprehensive set of intended learning outcomes divided into knowledge and skills learning outcomes."
Standard 2. Teaching-learning environment
"The panel concludes that the PSTS master's programme provides a challenging and inspiring teaching learning environment that meets the standard. PSTS offers a coherent and streamlined curriculum with a clear four-semester structure. The content themes in each semester are judged by the panel to be appropriate for a master's level with relevant subject matter and good links to current developments in society and research. The Ethics and Technology track and the joint education programmes offer students opportunities to deepen or broaden their knowledge. At the course level, the ILOs are translated into concrete and relevant learning objectives. The programme makes good use of its small size by providing ample space for interactive teaching methods. The panel welcomes the development of a skills learning line with skills training in courses, mentoring, and a skills portfolio."
Standard 3. Student assessment
"The panel found that the assessment programme includes all the intended learning outcomes. The assessment formats are sufficiently varied, frequent, and appropriate for the level and focus of an academic master's programme. Comments on thesis assessments are generally clear and concise, and students value the feedback they receive on their work."
Standard 4. Achieved learning outcomes
"The panel concludes that the programme's theses are of a master's level and meet the programme's learning outcomes sufficiently. Graduates find relevant work, some in competitive PhD positions, others in commercial, governmental, or non-profit organizations in research, or knowledge-broker positions at the intersection of technology, science, and society."
For more information see: https://www.nvao.net/en/decisions/universiteit-twente/m-philosophy-of-science-technology-and-society
