External Examiner Induction

Welcome to the Edinburgh Napier external examiner induction page and thank you for undertaking this very important role for the University. This page will provide you with information about the University's regulatory and decision-making structures, the role of programme assessment boards and the role of external examiners within them.

The presentations below are aimed at providing you with the key information you will need in preparing to undertake your role as external examiner at Edinburgh Napier University. The four short presentations cover: 1) a welcome 2) details of quality and standards 3) key regulations and the role of examiner 4) reporting and payment. The presentations are designed for you to dip into and to watch the ones most pertinent to your situation.

View video presentation Welcome to External Examiner Induction ​​

View video presentation Quality and Standards ​​

View video presentation Regulations and Roles​​

View video presentation Reports and Payments​​

You should also be offered an opportunity to meet virtually with representatives from the programme or subject area with whom you will be working. They can help you with queries about the specifics of your role. If you have not been offered this opportunity please get in touch with your school contact or programme leader to arrange this. Generic contact details can be found here.

Programme Assessment Board Scenarios

We have prepared a series of programme board scenarios. You should ensure that you have access to the University's Academic Regulations​ and that you have watched the video on regulations prior to working through these scenarios.

This short video explains the information presented within each board sheet to help you to understand each student's academic profile and to understand the factors to determine the decisions to be taken by the Board.

External Examiner Programme Assessment Board Scenarios and Answers [170KB PDF format]

Programme Assessment Board Guidance updated Feb 23.docx 

Further Information

In addition to this, we recommend that external examiners, and particularly those new to external examining, take a look at the Advance HE's Fundamentals of External Examining handbook. This aims to provide external examiners with guidance, advice and general information on external examining across the sector. For external examiners unfamiliar with Higher Education in Scotland we would also suggest you look at the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework which will provide you with the context of the various Scottish qualifications and the SCQF levels.

Provided within this site, you will also find details on Submitting your report, the Procedure for external examiners' fee payments and expenses claims, and Roles and responsibilities of External Examiners.

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