The foundation of academic reviews is an in-depth self-evaluation report, which departments under review must complete. The quality criteria used during this self-analysis is to a large extent based on the programme accreditation criteria as described by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) and is further supplemented by programme- or unit-specific requirements.

The panel of evaluators is largely determined by a joint effort between the department to be evaluated and the Quality Unit of the University of Pretoria. The panel of evaluators for the Department of Financial Management were Prof Stuart McChlery from Glasgow Caledonian University in the UK, Prof Gideon Els from the University of Johannesburg and Ms Prem Govender from Mosswick Investments South Africa.

The findings of the panel of evaluators take the form of a review report. This report is sent to the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, the Quality Unit at the University of Pretoria and the Committee of Vice-Principals. The findings are used to assist the department under review to draw up an improvement plan.

Each department is evaluated on a six-yearly cycle. This ensures that academic programmes are continued in alignment with institutional, regional and national imperatives, and that academic programmes and programme outcomes are aligned with the University of Pretoria’s vision, mission, strategic goals and values. The evaluation also determines the degree to which departments are fulfilling their research and community service functions.