Chair of the review committee: ‘We’re big fans of the new Criminology bachelor’s curriculum!’
On Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September, an external review committee visited our faculty to assess the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in Criminology.
Higher education programmes in the Netherlands are subject to an external review once every six years. The review committee assesses whether programmes meet the required quality standards and are therefore entitled to award degrees and qualifications. At the end of the two-day visit, the committee gave all Criminology programmes a positive assessment on every standard.
Programme of the visit
The visit got underway with two short presentations about the recent changes to the degree programmes. First, student tutors Nienke Buwalda and Valéry Wigman explained about the new Skills Lab, in particular the ‘Case Competition’, and the first-year mentoring programme. Next, assistant professor Marieke Kluin spoke about involving professionals from the field in the master’s course Handhavingsstrategieën (Enforcement Strategies). The committee then met with various panels of students and lecturers to gain an understanding of the quality of the different degree programmes. The committee also held discussions with the Board of Examiners and the programme management. Fortunately, between meetings the committee could relax and enjoy the beautiful autumn sunshine on the terrace of the KOG restaurant.
Conclusions of the review committee
At the end of the visit, the committee’s chair, Professor Letizia Paoli (KU Leuven), presented the preliminary findings to the programme’s lecturers and students, as well as other interested attendees. She began by thanking all participants and organisers for the constructive discussions, the warm welcome, and the excellent care provided to the committee throughout the visit.
In addition, she expressed the committee’s praise for the revamped bachelor’s curriculum, particularly the new ‘Being a Criminologist’ professional learning pathway.
The committee found the master’s programmes in Forensische Criminologie (Forensic Criminology) and Criminaliteit en Rechtshandhaving (Crime and Law Enforcement) to be well structured and clearly defined in terms of their academic profile. The fact that students share this positive view is reflected in rising enrolment numbers, particularly in Forensic Criminology.
Professor Paoli added that the committee had been particularly impressed by the enthusiasm for lecturers that was expressed by students. They highlighted the accessibility, enthusiasm and expertise of the teaching staff. She concluded by noting that in less than 25 years, the criminology programmes have been put firmly on the map in Leiden and the Netherlands.
On behalf of the faculty, Programme Director Anouk den Besten, Head of Department Sigrid van Wingerden, and Vice Dean Jan Crijns thanked the review committee for its valuable feedback which the programmes will use to develop further in the years ahead.
