Reviews

The University is committed to securing success for our students and the Greater Western Sydney region through innovation and discovery in a dynamic and technology-enabled world. One mechanism the University uses to assist in this is to undertake reviews. A review seeks to identify areas of good practice, areas requiring improvement and recommended actions.


School Reviews

A School Review is an opportunity to set the future direction of the school and to demonstrate adherence to the Higher Education Standards Framework (opens in a new window).

The University has a cyclical review process, requiring all Schools to be formally reviewed every five years. The review process entails the production of a self-assessment report, which is considered by an independent review panel for commendations and recommendations. Implementation of review outcomes is overseen by the University Executive and Academic Senate. Reviews are an opportunity to disseminate and implement best practice. Review reports and implementation plans are available to staff with a University login.

Stakeholder input is important to inform the outcome of a review. To make a submission to a School Review on matters relevant to the Terms of Reference please complete the submission form or email reviews@westernsydney.edu.au. All submissions will be treated as confidential. If you prefer, you can mail your comments, marked "confidential" to School Reviews, Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Academic), Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751.

2023 Reviews   
School of Social Sciences (opens in a new window)
(SoSS) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report Action Plan
School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences (opens in a new window)
(SoCDMS) 		Terms of Reference Panel Report Action Plan

Completed School Reviews are listed below.

2022 Reviews   
School of Health Sciences (opens in a new window)
(SoHS) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
School of Science (opens in a new window)
(SoSc) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report Action Plan

School Reviews 2016-2021 - Reviewed against Strategic Plan: Securing Success

A School Review is an opportunity to set the future direction of the school and to demonstrate adherence to the Higher Education Standards Framework (opens in a new window).

The University has a cyclical review process, requiring all Schools to be formally reviewed every five years. The review process entails the production of a self-assessment report, which is considered by an independent review panel for commendations and recommendations. Implementation of review outcomes is overseen by the University Executive and Academic Senate. Reviews are an opportunity to disseminate and implement best practice. Review reports and implementation plans are available to staff with a University login.

Completed School Reviews are listed below.

2021 Reviews   
School of Medicine (opens in a new window)
(SoM) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
School of Psychology (opens in a new window)
(SoP) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
2020 Reviews   
School of Law (opens in a new window)
(SoL) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
2019 Reviews   
School of Nursing and Midwifery (opens in a new window)
(SoNM) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
School of Business (opens in a new window)
(SoB) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
2018 Reviews   
School of Education (opens in a new window)
(SoE) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
Action Plan complete
School of Humanities and Communication Arts (opens in a new window)
(SoHCA) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window)

Panel Report (opens in a new window) Document requires a University login

Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
Action Plan complete
2017 Reviews   
School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics (opens in a new window)
(SCEM) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login  		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 
Action Plan complete            
School of Science and Health (opens in a new window)
(SoSH) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login  		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login
Action Plan complete           
2016 Reviews   
School of Medicine (opens in a new window)
(SoM) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login  		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 
Action Plan complete 
School of Social Sciences and Psychology (opens in a new window)
(SoSSP) 		Terms of Reference (opens in a new window) Panel Report (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login  		Action Plan (opens in a new window)
Document requires a University login 
Action Plan complete

Support for School Reviews

The Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Academic) will provide support to Schools during the School Review process. This includes providing:

  • a template and standard set of data for the School self-assessment report
  • advice and assistance on drafting the self-assessment report
  • advice on interpreting the standard data set
  • advice on benchmark analysis
  • comments on the draft self-assessment report before finalising for the panel
  • drafting of the review report on behalf of the panel
  • assistance to the School in developing an action plan
  • monitoring of all timeframes and providing reminders to the School as required.

Course Reviews/Biennial Course Reports

The University requires all Schools to undertake biennial reviews of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework performance data. This biennial review process enables continual improvement and reports on initiatives implemented at the school and program level to improve key performance indicators. The review process is overseen by the Office of Student and University Planning division within the Office of the Vice-President, People and Advancement and reported to the Senate Education Committee.

Institute and Research Centre/Group Reviews

The University undertakes regular reviews of Institutes and Research Centres/Groups.

Reviews of the following Institutes/Centres/Groups were coordinated by the Office of the DVCR&D:

Research Centres and Groups (opens in a new window) 2016 Review Report

Digital Humanities Group
Centre for Educational Research
Centre for Health Research
Centre for Research Mathematics

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (opens in a new window) 2016 Review Report

Institute for Culture & Society (opens in a new window) 2016 Review Report

MARCS Institute (opens in a new window) 2016 Review Report

Thematic Reviews

The University also conducts cross-institutional reviews of key thematic areas, which are central to realising the University's mission. There are no thematic reviews currently planned.

Additional documentation

For further information, please contact us.