Getting started – support for new external examiners
Once your appointment has been approved by the University you will be sent a Letter of Appointment which is also your contract with the University. The letter will set out the details of your appointment and other useful information. Please notify us if you move to another institution during your period of appointment.
In your Letter of Appointment you will be directed to this site which aims to be a ‘one-stop-shop’ providing you with a variety of information to help you get started and to refer to throughout the duration of your appointment with us.
The appointing School will contact you separately regarding discipline/programme specific induction which should take place shortly after your appointment is confirmed. The School will also provide you with access to specific password protected areas of the University’s online systems in order for you to fulfil your duties and review assessment material e.g. E-assignments, Blackboard, SharePoint.
Appointment of first-time external examiners
Your School induction will also include any additional support which you may require, for example arrangements for mentoring or shadowing, particularly if you have not had previous external examining experience.
Mentors, if appointed, will offer guidance on any aspect of the role of external examiner, depending on the needs of the individual including:
- external and internal reference points in making a judgement about the appropriateness of academic standards and student achievement;
- feedback on draft examination papers and other forms of assessment e.g. coursework;
- reviewing samples of student work;
- providing advice and feedback to the programme team and the Board of Examiners, as appropriate;
- reporting requirements and guidance on writing an annual report;
- general information and advice about current issues in HE that are relevant to external examining.
There is no requirement for face to face meetings between a mentor and mentee although, where appropriate, the external examiners concerned are encouraged to use the opportunity provided by attendance at the Board of Examiners for this purpose.
If you would like more information about mentoring, please contact us.
Further information from AdvanceHE
Advance HE’s External Examining handbook is a reference source for external examiners and brings together the outcomes from research and development in the field. The handbook and further guidance can be found on the AdvanceHE website