External Examiners

External Examiners

Download a PDF of the External Examiners Procedure.

Undergraduate Examination Conventions B8 – B13

Postgraduate Taught Examination Conventions B10 – B13

Supplementary notes:

  • The University ‘Policy and Procedures for External Examiners of Taught Programmes’, refers to the need for External Examiners to be present (or at least to be consulted) when a recommendation for award of a qualification is being made. The majority of Undergraduate decisions in August / September are taken with regard to progression to the next stage of a degree programme, rather than the award of a qualification. However, where candidates are sitting failed modules, for an award (also see ‘Failure of Final Stage modules’ below) this will necessarily involve some input from the External Examiners.

  • External Examiners should be given the opportunity to attend all meetings, including Resit Boards, additional or reconvened meetings. Externals must attend main session meetings where the bulk of recommendations are made. For other meetings where there are only a small proportion of awards being considered, they can be consulted, in writing, in lieu of attendance at the meeting.

  • As a matter of routine, prior to the Board of Examiners’ meeting the Chair of the Board of Examiners and, if appropriate, the Degree Programme Director, should ensure that all external examiners (and particularly those with no previous experience of external examining) are briefed about the degree programme regulations and relevant Examination Conventions.

  • As a matter of good practice, it is advisable for Chairs of Boards of Examiners to brief their External Examiners prior to the meeting of the Board with a summary of evidence on cases requiring consideration of the use of discretion.

 

External Assessors for joint/combined programmes

Undergraduate Examination Convention B13

Supplementary notes:
  • External Examiners in the relevant subject areas are required to consider the work of all students, including those on Combined and Joint Honours programmes. The External Assessor for the combined/joint programme is responsible for monitoring the process of deciding awards.