External Examiner
Introduction to the Role of the External Examiner at UK Higher Education Institutions
External examiners play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and standards of higher education in the UK. Appointed by universities, external examiners provide an independent, impartial perspective on the academic standards of programmes and the fairness of assessment processes. Their responsibilities encompass a range of activities aimed at ensuring that the institution's awards are comparable in standard to those in other UK universities and that student performance is evaluated consistently and fairly.
Key Responsibilities:
Moderation of Assessment:
Reviewing and approving examination papers and assessment tasks to ensure they are appropriate and meet the required standards.
Sampling marked student work to confirm that marking is fair, consistent, and in line with the institution's policies.
Verification of Standards:
Ensuring that the academic standards of the institution's awards are comparable with similar programmes at other UK HEIs.
Providing feedback on the alignment of learning outcomes with national benchmarks and professional standards.
Advisory Role:
Offering constructive feedback to programme teams on curriculum design, assessment strategies, and overall programme quality.
Highlighting areas of good practice and suggesting enhancements for continuous improvement.
Reporting:
Submitting annual reports that detail findings, highlight areas of concern, and commend good practices. These reports are critical for the institution's quality assurance processes and are often shared with governing bodies and accrediting organisations.
Participation in Award Boards:
Attending award boards to discuss and approve final marks and awards. This ensures transparency and accountability in the decision-making process regarding student progression and degree classification.
Importance of External Examiners:
The external examiner system is vital for upholding the integrity of UK higher education. By providing an objective view, external examiners help institutions maintain high academic standards, ensure fairness in assessment, and enhance the overall quality of education. Their input is integral to continuous improvement and fostering trust in the UK higher education system among students, employers, and other stakeholders.
In summary, external examiners contribute significantly to the academic health of UK universities by ensuring that degrees are awarded appropriately and that the educational experience is rigorous and fair. Their expertise and independent judgement are cornerstones of the quality assurance framework that supports the reputation of UK higher education globally.
Becoming an External Examiner
Becoming an external examiner involves several key steps:
Qualifications: Typically, candidates must have relevant academic or professional experience in the subject area.
Application: Interested individuals apply to higher education institutions (HEIs) when vacancies are advertised.
Appointment: Successful applicants are appointed by the institution, usually for a term of four years.
Induction: New examiners undergo an induction process to familiarise themselves with the institution's procedures and expectations.
Responsibilities: External examiners review assessments, ensure academic standards are met, and provide impartial feedback to maintain and enhance quality assurance.
Finding external examiner roles is an important first step. External external roles are advertised via a JISC mailing list. Click on the guide below to help you sign up to the mailbox, and to filter all of the roles into just the ones relevant to your subject expertise: