External examiners: role and responsibilities
探花社区 University engages around 300 external examiners across our provision. They provide impartial and independent advice. They also offer informative comments on our standards and student achievement. These responsibilities are set out in the UK Quality Code, Advice and Guidance on External Expertise.
External examiners are usually experienced academics from other higher education (HE) institutions. They use their subject knowledge and experience of other institutions to assess our academic standards independently. They also assess the quality of our assessments.
External examiners use internal reference points, such as institutional regulations. They also use external reference points, including the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications and subject benchmark statements.
They comment on how our students’ performance and the standard of our awards compare with those at other HE providers.
External examiners confirm that our policies and procedures are applied consistently and fairly. This helps to protect the integrity and rigour of our assessment practices.
They also identify good practice, advise on modules and programmes, and recommend improvements.
The external examiner role
External examiners scrutinise and evaluate evidence for groups of students. This evidence usually includes:
- Course or programme specification
- Examination question papers and coursework assignment tasks
- Sample of assessed student work
- Discussions with academic staff and, where appropriate, students
- Attendance at examination boards.
External examiner annual reports are an integral part of the University’s quality monitoring and enhancement process. They also play an important role in the programme review cycle.
External examiners should submit their completed report within four weeks of the final assessment board. Reports should be sent to externalexaminer@mdx.ac.uk.
The full responsibilities of the Programme Assessment Boards are set out in sections D10 and D11 of the University’s Regulations.
Contact us
For general enquiries about your external examiner appointment, or to ask about an external examiner vacancy at 探花社区 University, email externalexaminer@mdx.ac.uk.
For queries about Assessment Board information, email assessmentofficers@mdx.ac.uk.
Existing external examiners who need to change their contact details or personal information should email externalexaminer@mdx.ac.uk.