External Examiners
The University has comprehensive systems in place to assure the quality of its educational provision and the academic standard of all its degrees and other awards. The external examiner system plays a key role in this process. External examiners are assigned to subject areas and / or programmes. They are usually practicing academics, based at other universities or HE institutions, who have relevant experience of the UK higher education system. Their role is to ensure that the standards of awards from the University are comparable with similar programmes or subjects in other UK institutions, and that the processes for assessment, examination, and awards are sound, robust and fair.
External examiner reports are considered in several ways in the University.
The University organises an annual induction workshop and a handbook for newly appointed external examiners to provide them with the proper preparation in their role and to ensure that they understand and can fulfill their responsibilities. At the end of each academic session, external examiners are required to submit a report. There are two report templates: one for a subject external examiner and one for a progression and awards board (PAB) external examiner. The deadline for submission of reports is 1 September. Copies of the report are uploaded onto the UWS Staff Portal for information and consideration. The University requires that external examiners receive a formal response from the Faculty to their comments and recommendations, including any actions taken.
The University operates a comprehensive system of Subject Health Reviews (SHR), in which all provision is reviewed over a six year period. These reviews give considerable weight to the views of the relevant external examiners, and to the actions taken by the department in response to these views. The University also operates a system of annual monitoring where the external examiners' views are central to discussions and actions to be taken.
All Scottish Universities participate in Enhancement-led Institutional Review (ELIR), operated by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), on a four year cycle. The external examiners' reports contribute to the evidence base considered in the review process. The QAA reports publicly on the degree of confidence that may be placed in the University's ability to maintain the quality and standards of its awards. The University of the West of Scotland's ELIR review took place early 2006 and the report is available on the QAA website. The University is proud to announce that the review team expressed ‘broad confidence' in the University's processes and quality assurance procedures.
The External Examiner Handbook is a useful tool for both new and continuing external examiners and sets out their duties, responsibilities and procedures. The handbook is also a useful reference point for programme leaders and SDG Chairs, who work with external examiners. See also Regulation 7.12. An External Examiner Induction Workshop is held annually.
The External Examiner Induction Workshop