External Examiner’s Role
The external examiners ensure that the marks given and the assessment processes are appropriate.
The external examiners are provided with learning outcomes, assessment outlines, outline suggested answers and/or marking schemes for each assessment they examine.
The external examiners can opt to see as many assessments as they choose. Usual practice is to agree a sampling process which includes fails, distinctions and borderlines, together with other assessments so that the sample represents the top, middle and bottom of the range of marks. The exception to this is Masters dissertations and research projects - all dissertations and research projects are seen by an external examiner.
When a sampling process is followed for a range of marks the external examiner can propose adjustments to all marks or to the range of marks, but not to the marks of an individual student. Where student numbers on a course are small and the external examiner sees all students’ assessments, the external examiner can propose changes to the marks of an individual student.
All MSc dissertations and research projects are scrutinised by an external examiner.
Usually, each course has one external examiner. On occasion a course might have two external examiners, for example where one provides profession-specific expertise, and one has prior experience of examining in higher education at the appropriate level. When a course is scrutinised by two external examiners, usual practice is for the double marked / moderated assessments from one module to be viewed by one external examiner. However, the external examiners can vary this if they choose. If there are two external examiners for a course, the MSc dissertations/research projects are normally divided between the two examiners.
External examiners are appointed by our validating partner on the recommendation of the College, they report to the validating partner and they are ultimately responsible to the partner.
The main purpose of the external examiner role is to verify that standards are appropriate for the course; to assist in the comparison of academic standards across higher education degrees and parts of degrees; and to ensure that assessment processes are fair.
External examiners are required to maintain confidentiality, in relation to private and sensitive information provided by students, staff and external agencies.
Key aspects of the external examiner role are:
- External examiners are expected to follow the requirements of the validating University/University College.
- External examiners are expected to follow the requirements of the appropriate professional accreditation body. (See the appropriate Accreditation Handbook available from the website of the professional accreditation body).
Key duties required by the University/University College and the accrediting bodies include, but are not limited to:
- Attending the Module Assessment Board/Subject Assessment Board (also one external examiner attends the Progression and Finalists Board/Awards and Progression Board).
- Scrutinising an agreed sample of all assessments.
- Scrutinising MSc dissertations and research projects (each is normally scrutinised by one external examiner).
- Verifying all examination questions
- Verifying the overall implementation of the assessment strategy
- Reporting on overall course standards and advising on course development.
