Evaluation in Lower Saxony
ZEvA offers to organise and implement external evaluation procedures for higher education institutions and universities of cooperative education.
We give higher education institutions support in terms of quality development and improvement and in all areas related to study and teaching, including quality management.
The focus can be on single study programmes or subjects, on entire institutions, or on specific thematic areas. This service is free of charge for state higher education institutions in Lower Saxony, but it can also be used outside of Lower Saxony.
For detailed information, see the specific guidelines (in German only).
Services provided by ZEvA
ZEvA offers evaluations of individual study programmes or bundles of subject-related study programmes, either at a single higher education institution or cross-university (e.g. subject evaluation in Lower Saxony). For each of these evaluations, ZEvA offers a follow-up on the realisation of the experts' recommendations, and a subsequent evaluation can also be carried out on request.
The institutional evaluation is organised as an audit and focuses on suggestions for quality improvement. Strengths and weaknesses of the internal quality assurance and development procedures are identified with the aim to find potential for improvement and further development of the organisational structures. ZEvA also offers a follow-up and a subsequent evaluation for this purpose.
In order to answer specific questions from individual higher education institutions, but also from politics, science and society about teaching and studies in a more flexible and rapid manner, ZEvA offers specific thematic evaluations. Possible topics are e.g. exam procedures, dual study programmes, continuing education or the work of central institutions. This can be carried out at individual higher education institutions or cross-university, and ZEvA also offers a follow-up. Here are some examples of thematic evaluations (in German only).
Download PDF Evaluation examination systems
Download PDF Evaluation of dual study program concepts
Download PDF Evaluation STEM
Within the framework of project monitoring, ZEvA offers support in various formats, especially for projects within public funding programmes (e.g. Innovation Plus QPL, Innovation in Higher Education Teaching, MINT funding programmes). In addition to external evaluations and audits, various advisory services, which can be used selectively or throughout the whole course of the project, are also available.
SEK
The evaluation procedures are controlled by ZEvA's Standing Evaluation Commission (SEK), which also approves the final reports.
Complaints and Appeals
For the possibility of filing a complaint or an Appeal against a formal decision, see here.
Ongoing evaluation procedures
Higher education |
Project |
Supervising Advisor |
Various higher education institutions in Lower Saxony |
Evaluation of funding applications for the “Innovation Plus” call for proposals of the |
Ailina Schwenk, Torsten Futterer |
Various higher education institutions in Lower Saxony |
Evaluation of the funding line “Innovation Plus” |
Torsten Futterer |
Evaluation with ZEvA
If you still have questions about our evaluation procedures or would like to carry out a procedure with ZEvA, please contact the Head of Evaluation.

I am at your disposal for any questions at any time!
Dr. Torsten Futterer
Head of Evaluation