Approach to supporting evidence-based development of study courses

In the context of the increasing heterogeneity of student populations, it is becoming more important to understand the needs and requirements of potential students and to take these into account when developing study programmes. This paper describes an approach for developing study programmes that are customised for specific target groups, which is firmly grounded in relevant theory. Using this approach, the prerequisites and requirements of potential target groups can be identified and incorporated when developing the didactic-methodological and organizational design of academic educational programmes. Both the possibilities and limitations of an evidence-based approach to study-programme development are critically discussed.