What is the approach?

The External Examiners are principally concerned with scrutiny of the processes the department employs in its examination cycle. Some primary reasons for contact include:

• Considering of examination papers set and offering points for revision
• Overseeing the marking scheme
• Sampling examination scripts against the proposed marks provided by the department
• Meeting with a group of students to discuss course, outside assessment considerations

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

There are two important phases of contact between the External Examiners and the Department. The first involves sending the proposed examination papers to the External Examiners for scrutiny and any points for consideration/review sought by the Department. The majority of this is done during the Spring Term. For undergraduate courses with examinations in the Spring Term, some proposed papers are already considered during the Autumn Term.

The second is the period of the External Examiners visit to the University and see the examination work, with the proposed marks, prior to the Examination Board. The External Examiners self select work for scrutiny.

What materials/work does the External Examiner see?

Examination papers, Examination scripts, and coursework are made available to the External Examiners.

External Examiners Contact with Students

For undergraduate courses, the Department has instituted a mechanism whereby External Examiners meet with a group of students. This allows the Examiners the opportunity to ask about aspects of the course, though the students remain anonymous through the meetings. These meetings are not part of the formal examination process.