External Examiners
Introduction
The work of external examiners (EE) is a central part of the quality assurance of all HEI programmes. This section of the website provides information:
- on the role of the external examiner
- how to access the database of external examiners for those looking to recruit an examiner
- how you can register on the database as an examiner and
- further information and resources including a new external examiner handbook
The role of the external examiner
Each higher education institution appoints external examiners who report to the head of the institution. External examiners are independent academic experts drawn from other institutions, from areas of relevant professional practice, or from the world of freelance consultancy. They provide impartial advice on performance in relation to particular courses. Institutions require their external examiners, in their expert judgement, to report on:
- whether the standards set are appropriate for the awards or award elements, by referring to subject benchmark statements, the frameworks for higher education qualifications, institutional programme specifications and other relevant matters;
- the standards of student performance and the comparability of the standards with those of students following similar programmes in other UK higher education institutions;
- the extent to which the processes for assessment, examination and the determination of awards are sound and have been fairly conducted.
The external examining system is one of the most important ways of ensuring that the courses and programmes within UK higher education are academically sound, that the students are acquiring the correct level of teaching and that programmes and results are compatible to those in similar higher education institutions. At least one external examiner is appointed for each subject or group of subjects forming part of a degree programme.
External examiners have the opportunity to see and comment on all or some examination papers, all or some degree examination scripts and any other work that contributes to the degree result. Departments/faculties often negotiate with the external examiner exactly how much work they will look at. External examiners sit on faculty or departmental exam boards and their views are taken seriously. At the end of an academic year the external examiner produces a report on the courses or programme(s) for which they are an examiner. These reports are scrutinised at every level and often the external examiner is asked to comment on curricula design.
Database of external examiners
Finding a new external examiner can be difficult, and it is important that the process is not reliant on word-of-mouth and is open to new examiners. To assist with this SWAP has created a regularly updated list of external examiners. This password protected list is available to download using the link below. Heads of Department, Heads of Programmes and Assessment coordinators can request the password for access to the database by emailing swapenquiries@soton.ac.uk
Download the latest database (PDF 76KB)
Register with SWAP as an external examiner
In January 2009 SWAP launched a new External Examiners (EE) database in order to:
- facilitate the process of recruiting and selecting EEs,
- enable academics and practitioners (for SW) new to the EE task to register their interest,
- support networking and information exchange on EE matters.
Current and prospective EEs for both social work and social policy are invited to register on the database by completing the registration form. Terms and conditions of registration apply.
Further information and resources
General
- The Higher Education Academy is leading a programme of research and development work to improve the support given to external examiners and the function of external examining.
- An open access JISCmail discussion list
- The Quality Assurance Agency website
Social work specific
New resource - Handbook for External Examiners: Guidance for the Degree in Social Work (PDF 127KB)
This handbook is about the role of external examiners on the social work degree programmes across the UK. It is likely to be of interest not only to external examiners (both those new to the role and those with experience), but also Heads of Department, Assessment Coordinators and Chairs of Examination Boards, as well as staff working in stakeholder and partner organisations. The handbook has been produced by the four UK Care Councils together with the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Social Policy and Social Work (SWAP), and the Joint Universities Council Social Work Education Committee (JUC/SWEC).
Care Councils
For the Social Work degree, the external examiner is employed by, and reports to the HEI. For details of the arrangements for the four Care Councils go the relevant country’s Care Council website.
Since 2004 SWAP has run jointly with JUCSWEC and the four UK Care Councils an annual event for external examiners on social work degree programmes. See the past SWAP events page for the report from the latest event.
