Less than three per cent of study units at the University of Malta were identified as “problematic” by students in an annual review exercise this year, but the figure rose to nearly 10 per cent in some faculties.

Across all faculties, only 33 of the 1,141 study units which were evaluated during the year were found to be problematic, according to a report released by the university. This marks a significant decrease on the percentage of problematic study units identified the previous year, which stood at 4.19 per cent (45 out of 1074 units).

The largest share of complaints relative to the number of study units on offer was in the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, with four of 42 study units, or 9.5 per cent, flagged up students.

Comparatively high levels of complaints were also registered in the faculties of engineering, science, economics, management and accountancy.

Feedback submitted by students indicated that the main problems related to lecturing methodology, assessment methods, the description of a study unit not being sufficiently clear and the amount of work required being incompatible with credit value.

Students appeared generally satisfied with the quality of the service on offer

Other problems included insufficient library resources and an unfair amount of work or time allowed for assessment (typically exams or assignments).

Nevertheless, the report states that students appeared generally satisfied with the quality of the service on offer, highlighting that lectures were mostly well-structured, lecturers knowledgeable, well-prepared, helpful and dedicated, and delivery stimulating.

In more than 50 instances, the university administration also took corrective action to address concerns raised by students during the feedback exercise.

The most frequent changes were revisions of notes and supporting material (14 instances) and changes in the methods of assessment (nine instances), while in six cases, lecturers delivering a study unit were changed after students complained that they were not helpful or that the lecturing was not up to standard.

A different lecturer was consulted over revising course methodology which students had said was not intellectually stimulating and did not encourage participation, while five study units described by students as “irrelevant” were restructured.

Just over a third of students participated in the exercise, which was anonymous and voluntary. The results are only made available to academic staff after results have been published, to avoid any consequences for students.

Any serious issues are then brought to the attention of the Rector and Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs, who take them up with heads and deans, to allowfor timely action to be taken to improve matters, the University said.