1Induction for Subject External Examiners Nicola Clarke Academic Standards and Quality Assurance Manager

Appointment process Appointments pack sent to all new External Examiners includes a number of documents for completion and a request that Examiners provide evidence of Right to Work in the UK All Examiners, having submitted the appointments paperwork required by the University are provided with an MMU Employee Reference number – required for payroll purposes and also to enable access to the University’s VLE (Moodle) Induction for Subject External Examiners2

External Examining at MMU External Examiners are appointed to all taught award-bearing programmes of the University They are appointed to provide externality in our quality assurance processes and to enable us to comply with the Quality Assurance Agency UK Quality Code for Higher Education Induction for Subject External Examiners3

Quality Assurance Agency The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) was established in 1997 and is an independent body funded by subscribers and reporting to the UK HE Funding bodies. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) website at provides much useful information regarding the UK Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, information on subject benchmark statements and the UK Quality Code for Higher Education Induction for Subject External Examiners4

Quality Assurance Agency The UK Quality Code for Higher Education sets out the Expectations that all providers of UK Higher Education are required to meet. Chapter B7 of the Code relates specifically to External Examining. The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications describes the key reference points against which all of our taught programmes of study are aligned. Induction for Subject External Examiners5

Quality Assurance Agency Subject Benchmark statements set out expectations about standards of degrees in a range of subject areas, describing what gives the discipline its coherence and identity. They also articulate what abilities and skills are needed to develop understanding or competence in the subject. Induction for Subject External Examiners6

Quality Assurance Agency The University ensures alignment with the QAA UK Quality Code for HE and a document detailing how this is demonstrated may be found at: Induction for Subject External Examiners7

External Examiner categories at MMU Subject External Examiners fulfil a discipline-based role, operating at programme level. They attend Tier One Unit Results Assessment Boards. Award External Examiners fulfil a Faculty-wide role ensuring that due process is followed at the Tier Two Progression and Awards Assessment Boards Induction for Subject External Examiners8

External Examiners on Franchised Programmes Franchised programmes also running at MMU normally fit into the MMU Two Tier system. Where the timing of delivery at partners does not align with MMU-based provision the franchised programme will operate on a single tier structure. Induction for Subject External Examiners9

External Examiners on Externally Validated programmes For Externally Validated programmes operating at partners, and for other programmes where a single-tier Assessment Board structure operates, the External Examiner fulfils both Subject and Award External Examiner roles Induction for Subject External Examiners10

Roles of Subject External Examiners Information about the role, powers and responsibilities of Subject External Examiners is found in the Institutional Code of Practice and Regulations for External Examining at s/regulations-policies.php s/regulations-policies.php Induction for Subject External Examiners11

Role and Responsibilities Subject External Examiners are: Required to attend main Unit Assessment Boards Asked to endorse the recommendations of the Board Asked to confirm that due process has been followed Asked to confirm that assessments have been carried out in accordance with University Regulations Required to submit an annual report following the main Unit Assessment Board Induction for Subject External Examiners12

Role and Responsibilities Subject External Examiners are also: Asked to ensure currency of unit content and the coherence of units within a programme Consulted on any changes to units Consulted at the point of programme periodic review The Role of External Examining on MMU programmes offered by our collaborative partners is demonstrably the same. Induction for Subject External Examiners13

Role and Responsibilities Subject External Examiners are NOT involved in: Second or Third marking Arbitration in instances of marker disagreements Changing individual student marks Vivas (except where the Professional Body stipulates involvement) Consideration of Exceptional Factors or cases of misconduct Induction for Subject External Examiners14

External Examiner Reports All External Examiners appointed by MMU are required to submit a report, usually on an annual basis and within six weeks following the final Assessment Board which dealt with the cohort of students to which the document refers. Induction for Subject External Examiners15

Role of the reports External Examiner reports play a key role in: Continuous Monitoring and Improvement; Programme periodic review; Curriculum design and modification; Review of assessment regulations; Quality enhancement; External review – including QAA Higher Educational Review. Induction for Subject External Examiners16

The University requires Subject External Examiners, in their expert judgement, to report on: i.administrative and procedural matters; ii.assessment processes; iii.student performance; iv.and good practice and enhancement Induction for Subject External Examiners17

Report Templates Bespoke templates for Examiners at each Assessment Board Tier: Tier 1 – Subject External Examiners EE4S Tier 2 – Award External Examiners EE4A Subject External Examiner reports should be submitted using the template EE4S, accessible together with guidance on reporting on External Examiners’ website at Induction for Subject External Examiners18

Report submission Reports should be completed and submitted electronically to facilitate distribution Reports should be submitted in the first instance to the relevant Head of Faculty SAS – address provided at the foot of the report template Reports will be acknowledged and circulated to programme leader, Dean of Faculty and Centre for Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement (CASQE) Induction for Subject External Examiners19

Use of External examiner reports Reports are treated as public documents Reports are widely circulated so please do not refer to staff or students by name Reports are made available to all students via their programme VLE area Freedom of Information means copies of reports may also be requested by the public - in which case we remove the examiner’s name Please do not let this inhibit frankness Induction for Subject External Examiners20

Responses to External Examiner reports Reports undergo programme committee scrutiny and student representatives contribute to discussion regarding the issues raised Programme leaders must respond to their Subject External Examiners and the response must address all key issues raised in the report Programme committees also consider the reports of the Award External Examiner responsible for their programme, but are not required to make a formal response; A formal response to issues raised in the reports of Award External Examiners is the responsibility of the Faculty Executive Group; Induction for Subject External Examiners21

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement Actions arising from the Subject External Examiner reports feed into the University’s Continuous Monitoring and Improvement Process Completed reports are appended to the Continuous Improvement Plan and retained within the programme log Examiners receive updates on actions taken as part of Continuous Monitoring Process Induction for Subject External Examiners22

Institutional Scrutiny of External Examiner reports Issues of institutional significance are monitored by the University’s Centre for Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement (CASQE) and forwarded to the relevant committee or review group for action An overview of the External Examining process, identifying the main themes and issues as well as positive comments concerning good practice emerging from the reports, will form part of the Annual Report on Quality and Standards to the University’s Academic Board Induction for Subject External Examiners23

Financial matters Annual fee – details notified in appointment letter Fee only payable on receipt of annual report Claim Form – Fin 1E available on the website at expenses.php expenses.php Submit claim (with associated receipts attached) to Faculty Quality Administrative Contacts Induction for Subject External Examiners24

Sources of Support and Information for Subject External Examiners Contractual letter of appointment External Examining Handbook Induction for Subject External Examiners25

External Examiners’ Website External Examiners’ website: Code of Practice and Regulations on External Examining - Assessment Regulations - Policy on Moderation of Summative Assessment - Procedures for Operation of Assessment Boards - Induction Podcast for Subject External Examiners - Details of key contacts – both centrally and at faculty level - Links to relevant External websites such as the QAA website and the Higher Education Academy website Induction for Subject External Examiners26

Support from the Programme team Programme leaders are the point of contact for programme-specific information and for arrangements for Boards of Examiners meetings. If you are new to External Examining, the programme team will arrange mentoring for you in your first year Induction for Subject External Examiners27

Faculty Contacts The local Quality Enhancement Team will also provide support and be responsible for processing your annual fee and other expense claims. Quality Enhancement Team contact details available as links at: Induction for Subject External Examiners28

University Contacts Nicola Clarke Academic Standards & Quality Assurance Manager Tel: Induction for Subject External Examiners29