Roles and Responsibilities of External Examiners

The general roles and responsibilities of external examiners at Edinburgh Napier University are defined in Academic Regulation A10

A10.1

An external examiner will be appointed to report and comment on all assessments which count towards the awards of the University listed in Regulation A4.1a)A4.1a), b), c) and e). To achieve this all approved SCQF level 9, 10 and 11 modules and all approved programmes of study which lead to an award of the University listed in Regulation , b), c) or e) will be allocated to an external examiner. Programme external examiners are required to consider and support exit awards.

A10.2

The criteria for the appointment of external examiners are set out in the Quality Framework.

A10.3

The role of external examiners is to advise the Programme Assessment Board, but decisions on student performance, progression and awards are those of the Board as a whole. As a minimum external examiners are asked to review a square root sample of completed assessment assignments and comment on:

a) whether the academic standard of each module or programme of study being considered is set and maintained at the appropriate level

b) whether the standards of student performance are properly judged against the level set

c) whether the assessment process is appropriate, rigorous, equitable and conducted in accordance with University guidance

d) the comparability of the standard and level of student achievement with those in other higher education institutions.

A10.4

If an external examiner is unable to attend a meeting of a Programme Assessment Board, their views must be communicated to the Convenor of the Board prior to the meeting and such views will inform the meeting appropriately. The formal written minute of a Programme Assessment Board must record the views submitted by the approved external examiner and the means by which appropriate account has been given to such views. In the event that an external examiner declines or is unable to submit their views prior to the meeting this must be recorded in the formal written minute.

A10.5

External examiners will be asked, in their expert judgment, to report annually to the University on good practice they have identified and on the matters set out in Regulation A10.4.

A10.6

External examiners have authority to report direct to the Convenor of the Academic Board if they are concerned about standards of assessment and performance, particularly where they consider that assessments are being conducted in a way that jeopardises either the fair treatment of individual students or the standard of awards.

Please note that failure to fulfil your duties as external examiner may result in the early termination of your appointment.

If you are unable to fulfil your contracted duties due to exceptional circumstances, such as illness - you should notify the School as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to reallocate your workload accordingly and as appropriate.