Changes proposed to bachelor programme

"We want a more inspirational bachelor programme," says the Dean of bachelor studies, Kjetil Bjorvatn.

07.04.2014 - Ed.

The Programme Committee for the Bachelor degree programme (PBU) proposes changes in the structure of the bachelor programme at NHH. The changes are proposed in the report from the evaluation of the bachelor programme in 2013/2014. NHH has decided that all full-time programmes must be evaluated regularly, at least every six years. The last evaluation was in 2008.

A new structure proposed

PBU proposes a key business subject in the first semester and the introduction of jurisprudence as a mandatory course in the bachelor programme. A further proposal is complete freedom of choice among the elective subjects and the introduction of elective courses from the first semester.

What are the main changes as envisaged by PBU?
"We mainly want a more inspirational bachelor degree programme with enhanced teaching resources and we want greater freedom of choice for students," says Bjorvatn.

"We are attempting to organise a programme with correct progression, both for the sake of effective and inspiring learning, and to increase collaboration across disciplines. It is important to have a good dialogue between the instructors in the various subjects. That makes it easier to keep account of developments in different subject areas, which in turn will lead to improved teaching for students."

What is the purpose of these changes?
"Our main purpose is more and better learning in general. The proposals to introduce an important business subject in the first semester and to move an applied methodology subject to a later semester are two of the measures. We believe it will be more inspiring to be introduced to key business subjects at an early stage and to postpone applied methodology to a later semester. A more inspiring programme will lead to better motivation, which in turn will result in better learning."

Educational technology

The section of the report on the use of educational technology refers to student surveys where they responded that they benefit greatly from viewing videos of the teaching, but that they would still attend classes even if they had the opportunity to watch them again later.

"We want to explore the many possibilities afforded by educational technology, and we're inspired by the work of others in the sector," says Bjorvatn. "This new building is well adapted to technology. The Education Committee at NHH will continue to look into the use of educational technology in the NHH programmes."

Throughput of students at NHH

The report shows that over half of the bachelor students do not complete the programme at NHH in the stipulated time.
"Yes, that's a lot, and we have to take it seriously. A great deal of attention is being paid to the throughput. However, we also know that 90 percent of the bachelor students do in fact complete the programme, and 90 percent of those then take a master's degree. We hope that both major changes such as those we're suggesting now and minor changes made along the way will improve learning and thereby the throughput of students."

The next steps

The final version of the evaluation report was adopted at a PBU meeting on 18 March 2014.
The report was circulated for comments on Friday 4 April, with a deadline of 16 May. Proposed amendments to the structure of the programme must be considered by the NHH Board. Any changes in the structure will be introduced from autumn 2015.

The final evaluation report as adopted by the PBU on March 18 can be read here. (in Norwegian)

Evaluation Report of the Bachelor Programme