External Examiners for all Taught Courses

This page provides information on University policy, forms, and guidance on the appointment, payment, and expected responsibilities of External Examiners.

Clarity on the difference between an External Examiner and an examiner who is external to the University

An External Examiner is appointed to provide independent oversight of academic standards and assessment processes. An examiner who is external to the University is simply an examiner who is not employed by the University. Such examiners take part in the assessment process itself and are categorised as Examiners. 

External Examiners for undergraduate and taught postgraduate degrees are appointed as members of the Board of Examiners and play an essential part in ensuring the academic standards of the examination process.  They are engaged principally to ensure that:

• the standards set for an award are appropriate for the qualification;
• the standards of student performance are comparable with similar programmes or subjects in other UK institutions with which they are familiar;
• the processes for assessment, examination and the determination of awards were sound and fairly conducted.

External Examiners are not normally expected to carry out marking of assessed work; instead, they are involved in reviewing a sample of scripts and assessing whether internal marking has been appropriately and consistently applied.