EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’
INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’
INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Appointment of External Examiners
•
Ensure all subjects/programmes are covered by an
external examiner
•
Send out letters of appointment
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Payment of Fees and Expenses
•
Subject/School Assessment Boards
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Roles and Responsibilities
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University’s Learning Quality and Enhancement
Handbook (Section 4)
•
University’s Regulations (Section D)
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/aboutus/strategy/regulations/
•
Letter of Appointment
•
Report Cover Sheet Templates
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
DUBAI AND MAURTIUS
•Set-up in January 2005 and January 2010 respectively
•Middlesex is responsible for academic delivery
•Same quality assurance and monitoring systems as the
London-based campuses
•Dubai delivers over 30 undergraduate and 9 postgraduate
programmes with over 90 nationalities represented
•Mauritius delivers 15 programmes both undergraduate and
postgraduate
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Function of External Examiners
To provide independent adjudication on quality and
standards of academic provision and on associated
procedures by:
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approving exam papers [and coursework assignments];
approving programme and module changes/proposed new
modules;
moderating student work (grades);
attending viva examinations (if required);
attending/contributing to Assessment Boards;
providing the programme team and the University with
informed and constructive critical comment and feedback
on academic provision and assessment through
submission of written reports by required deadline dates
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Moderation of student work
EEs receive a representative sample of student work whereby
to judge appropriateness of standards and of assessment
overall. Key student work should have been doublemarked/moderated internally.
[NOTE - EEs are not markers and so do not alter marks
of individual students; nor are EEs normally expected to
resolve marking disagreement between internal markers]
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Key documents needed
Programme handbook
Includes
• programme specification;
- module aims
- learning outcomes
- syllabus
- teaching learning and assessment strategy
- assessment weighting
- learning materials
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•
Module narrative
University regulations (especially Sections J and M)
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Involvement of external examiners in quality assurance processes
Quality and annual monitoring - EE reports on in-house and
collaborative programmes feed into quality/annual monitoring reports
Periodic Review - EEs may be consulted by programme/subject teams
when preparing for academic review and reports would be
considered by review panels
Internal audit of EE appointment process at 5 yearly intervals
Boards of Study – reports are presented to Boards of Study meetings,
which include student representatives
External audits – reports may form part of evidence base for other
audits, including QAA audits
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Reporting (1/6)
•
External Examiners’ reports provide feedback to the
•
University on the comparability of standards and the
student achievement
Internal report but also a public document as it is widely
circulated and used for internal reviews, audits and
committees and external audits and reviews
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Reporting (2/6)
Appendix 4b
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The External Examiner is invited to make detailed
comments on academic standards as well as the
management and operation of the EE system
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Reporting (3/6)
Comments are invited on:
Assessment (standards)
Compare marking and moderation for modules taught at
different campuses including overseas MU campuses and
modules on franchised and joint validated programmes
Was work fairly and consistently marked?
Was assessment properly moderated?
Was the feedback to students useful?
Were students treated in a fair and consistent manner?
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Reporting (4/6)
Achievement (standards)
•Are the profiles of achievement acceptable or do they merit
comment? (e.g. within/between modules)
•Are they exceptionally good/uneven/ cause for concern?
Awards (standards)
•Are awards made at the appropriate level and do
they
accurately reflect achievement?
•Is such achievement comparable to that at other HEIs
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Reporting (5/6)
Administration & Conduct (the assessment process)
•Was assessment conducted in accordance with relevant
regulations? (University and/or PSRBs).
•Was assessment well administered?
•Are there suggestions whereby the procedures might be
improved?
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Reporting (6/6)
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External Examiners should submit reports within one
month of the final assessment board to AQS
Templates are circulated annually just before the
assessment period
All reports should be sent to AQS
Reports not submitted on time are followed up
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Central Overview
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AQS writes an External Examiners’ Overview report to the
Assurance Committee each year
Report comments on the External Examiner activity
during the previous year, the quality of External
Examiners’ reports and highlights generic issues to be
addressed by the University and areas of good practice.
EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ INDUCTION 20 NOVEMBER 2013
Academic Quality/Standards at Middlesex University
Where to find us on the web:
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/aboutus/Strategy/qualitystandards/index.aspx
Gloria Turner
University Quality Enhancement Manager (Externality)
Tel: 02084116387
G.Turner@mdx.ac.uk