English and Comparative Literature

 

What is the approach?

As a relatively large department in the Faculty of Arts, the department needs four External Examiners and who offer specific expertise across the discipline.

On appointment, External Examiners are provided with the Departmental Handbook that outlines module specifications, the assessment schedule and marking criteria.

Prior to the Examination Board, there is a preview meeting to discuss particular issues arising from the assessment and examination process. This provides the opportunity to discuss particular cases and to arrive at preliminary recommendations for the Examination Board.

What is the amount of contact between the External Examiner and the Department?

Prior to their visit to the University, the Examiners receive both examination scripts and detailed notes from the Examinations Secretary indicating points for scrutiny, consideration and opinion.

These notes also provide a timetable for the assessment process and details of meetings to be held in preparation for the Examination Board.

What materials/work does the External Examiner see?

The External Examiners receive and offer comments on examination papers as they are being prepared.

The External Examiners see a sample of student work, once the examinations have been taken. They see work that exemplifies a particular degree classification and borderline cases. The work sent is provided with a commentary from the Examinations Secretary on relevant matters to be considered. They see a good representation of work being proposed for First Class classification.