Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Criteria for External Examiner Appointments (for taught programmes/modules)

Origin: Programme Development and Quality Team

---

As now, nominations will be submitted by departments to the AD(T)s for approval on behalf of the relevant Faculty Board. The AD(T) must be able to check from documentation submitted by the department in support of the nomination that the criteria in paragraphs 1-3 are met. The documentation should in all cases include a brief cv of the person concerned, covering their experience in teaching and research. Departments will be asked to complete a simple check-list (tick-boxes) to cover the criteria in paragraph 4. The AD(T) will expect a case to be made in support of any appointment that is outside the normal criteria.

1. Individuals proposed for appointment as external examiners must have an appropriate level of experience and expertise in relation to the subject area. A minimum of five years experience would normally be expected.

2. Individuals must normally hold a senior academic post at another UK HEI (in pre-92 institutions, SL and above, or in post-92 institutions, principal lecturer and above) and be research-active.

3. Although they may not meet the criteria in 2, suitably experienced individuals from industry or commerce or from PSRBs may also be appointed to bring particular professional expertise to the external examining process. Those who do not currently hold an academic post or have extensive links with UK HE through their professional practice will not be expected to take sole responsibility as external examiner for any programme or module.

4. The following criteria must also be met to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

· The appointee must not normally hold more than one other appointment as an external examiner in HE

· Must not have been a member of staff or a student of LU, or a partner organisation, within the past three years

· Must not have held a previous appointment as an external examiner in the inviting department at LU within the past four years

· Must not be employed in an HEI department elsewhere which has a member of the inviting department at LU serving as an external examiner

· Must not be employed in the same HEI department as the previous external examiner for the same programme(s)/module(s)

· Must have no personal conflicts of interest (for example, a son or daughter or other relation or be connected with a person who is a student or member of staff in the inviting department at LU)

Further guidance for departments regarding nominations

All departments should assure themselves that individuals being nominated for appointment as external examiners have the necessary qualities to perform the range of responsibilities required of them, for example:

1. Appropriate experience in the design, structure and marking of student assessments

2. Ability to make competent judgements relating to agreed reference points, including subject benchmark statements, the QAA code of practice, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, and individual programme specifications

3. Ability to evaluate standards set by the institution and their comparability with those of other HEIs

4. Ability to evaluate standards of student achievement

5. Ability to evaluate the soundness and fairness of assessment policies and procedures

6. Ability to command the respect of colleagues, including other external examiners as well as internal examiners and exercise appropriate authority in all aspects of the role

7. Experience and expertise where appropriate in the assessment of work-based learning

8. Knowledge where applicable of PSRB standards and expectations.

The guidance in paragraphs 2 and 3 above may be interpreted flexibly in the case of external examiners from outside the HE sector being appointed for their professional expertise, who are not taking sole responsibility for any programme or module.