1. External Examiners’ Workshop
The role of the external examiner and its requirements at the University of Brighton
Professor Stephen Denyer
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience)

2. Managing Quality (HEFCE) Annual Provider Review
Government White Paper removed external QAA oversight of management of standards (Institutional Review, Higher Education Review)
Quality incorporated into the existing Annual Provider Review through the Board of Governors/University Council
Externality is a key part of assurance: PSRB, external validation advisers, external examiners
Office for Students regulatory framework
QAA is the designated quality body
Random sampling (eg 5%) to ensure compliance with registration conditions
Participation in TEF a condition of on-going registration

3. QAA Quality Code remains as guidance for sector expectations
The Quality Code states:
HE providers (must) ensure independent and external participation in the management of threshold academic standards
HE providers (must) make scrupulous use of external examiners
Full details are given in Chapter B7
NB. Code is under review

4. Requirements of an external examiner
Maintenance and appropriateness of academic standards
internal logic
external comparability
national reference points
Assessment processes measure achievement rigorously and fairly
Regulations operate successfully
Good practice and opportunities to enhance quality of learning experience for students

5. Operating in the role Working for the Academic Board Peer review
External moderator
Critical friend
NB. Conflicts of interest

6. Implementing the role – assessment
Comment on draft exam papers
Look at a representative sample of students’ work that contributes to final award
may not alter marks for individual students
may recommend changes to the marks for the whole cohort
Not role to adjudicate where there is a disagreement between internal markers
Comment on our 2nd marking and moderation processes

7. Implementing the role Meeting students informally
Member of examination board
sign statement of procedural compliance
understanding our regulations (within reason)
oral report
No involvement in mitigating circumstances determinations

8. Relationship management
Appointment – 4 years
Induction
Contact with School and Course Leader
documentation
Work load negotiation – visits, samples
Feedback loops
Influence over time
may be asked your views on proposed minor changes

9. External Examiner Reports
Annual report
within one month of main exam board
reports not submitted on time are chased
Matters of serious concern about the maintenance of standards – separate confidential report to the Vice-Chancellor

10. External Examiner Reports
Good practice and opportunities to enhance our provision
Confirm sufficient evidence received
Indicate that issues raised in previous report have been, or are being, addressed
Address any issues specifically required by PSRBs if appropriate
Give an overview of your term of office when concluded

11. Consideration of reports
Receipt acknowledged by Academic Services
Circulated to Schools/Partner Colleges
Considered at Course Board/Partner College HE Board as part of Academic Health - includes student representatives
Annual Course Report
includes details of action to be taken in response to comments
sent to external examiner within one month of board

12. Consideration of reports
Monitoring at School level
annual School Report captures key features of external examiners’ reports and actions
Monitoring at University level
Quality and Standards Committee – annual School Reports, annual report on institutional themes from external examiners’ reports
Further Education College Sub-Committee – annual Partner College M&E reports
Annual Academic Health event - assurance to Academic Board
Reports made available to students