University assessment and quality assurance

Strategies to improve university assessment for students and educators. Here, academics offer guidance on assessment design, covering formative, summative and diagnostic approaches, authentic assessment and how to give useful feedback. You will also find advice on exam preparation, ungrading, managing GenAI, preventing cheating and upholding academic integrity.

By Eliza.Compton , 14 May, 2026

Assessing students when artificial intelligence is ubiquitous

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If we continue to prioritise memorisation in an age of wall-to-wall information, we send the wrong message to our students and employers. Michelle Seref offers advice on assessment that builds critical thinking skills
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 13 May, 2026

How to start reimagining assessments authentically

Young man giving a presentation
What does authentic assessment really look like? Through real-world tasks, meaningful application and core knowledge and skills, it supports deeper learning and a more accurate measure of students’ understanding
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 7 May, 2026

‘Small changes in assessment design can make thinking visible’

Young Black man with thought bubbles
Many concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on academic integrity and authorship have focused on controlling the tool rather than reconsidering the task, writes Nicole Brownlie. Here, she offers a shift to assess process, not just answers
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 1 May, 2026

When the business plan becomes a performance

Hand stopping a line of dominoes falling
Under conventional assessment models in entrepreneurship, continuation of a venture is rewarded and optimism reads as competence, write Ian Solway and Jolyon Nott. But students should be required to demonstrate judgement, not projected success
By Eliza.Compton , 29 April, 2026

GenAI has turned teachers into auditors

Man's hands over laptop keyboard with figures and speech bubbles
When educators have to police how students use AI, and gatekeeping adds to the workload and emotional toll, teaching loses its joy, write Meena Jha and Amara Atif. Here are ways to reclaim the role of educator
Reading time
4minutes
University assessment and quality assurance