External Examining at The University of Nottingham: Induction Event for new Examiners April 2015 Christine Bexton Head of Quality and Standards Administration Academic Services Division External Examining at the University of Nottingham 1
External Examining at the University of Nottingham UK Quality Code for HE: Chapter B7: External Examining External Examining at the University of Nottingham 2
External Examining: UoN Policy Based on Chapter B7, Quality Code for Higher Education at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/quality-code-B7.pdf Quality Manual found at: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/academicservices/qualitymanual/assess mentandawards/appointment-and-responsibilities-of-external- examiners.aspx - policy Web pages at: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/academicservices/staffinformation/inform ationforexternalexaminerstaughtcourses/index.aspx -guidance on annual reports & fees/expenses External Examining at the University of Nottingham 3
External Examining: Policy Quality Manual External Examining Policy covers (1): 1. School responsibilities 2. Examiners’ responsibilities 3. Enhancement of Quality 4. National Criteria for Appointment/Termination of Contract 5. Restrictions on Appointment 6. Confirmation and Period of Appointment External Examining at the University of Nottingham 4
External Examining: Policy Quality Manual covers (2): 7. Details of External Examiner appointments to students 8. Preparation of External Examiners for role 9. Responsibilities of External Examiners 10. Powers of External Examiners 11. Annual Written Report 12. Format of report 13. Dealing with submitted reports External Examining at the University of Nottingham 5
External Examining Role of External Examiners In the UK's system of higher education, institutions are responsible for the quality of the education they provide and the academic standards of the awards they offer. External examining provides one of the principal means for maintaining nationally comparable standards within autonomous higher education institutions, the external examiner being one of a number of independent and impartial advisers used by them. The main purposes of external examining are: to verify that academic standards are appropriate for the award or part thereof which the external examiner has been appointed to examine; to help institutions to assure and maintain academic standards across higher education awards; to help institutions to ensure that their assessment processes are sound , fairly operated and in line with the institution's policies and regulations. External Examining at the University of Nottingham 6
External Examining Responsibilities with regard to Overseas Campuses Where programmes are offered across one or more of the University’s campuses, the remit of the examiners appointed should cover all relevant campuses so that they are in a position to provide a judgment on the comparability of quality and standards of provision and performance across the campuses. External examiners are entitled to meet students and should be given reasonable opportunity to meet with representative groups of students from the Nottingham and international campuses (eg via video-conferencing) by the School. Where it is not logistically possible to meet international campus students annually, an opportunity should be given a minimum of once every three years External Examining at the University of Nottingham 7
External Examining Appointment of Examiners and Approval of Reports External Examiners for undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses are appointed on an annual basis up to a normal maximum of four years' service. Council has the power to receive nominations and approve such appointments, and discharges its responsibilities in this regard through the Quality & Standards Committee. The Academic Services Division provides advice and guidance to the Committee, particularly in regard to those nominations that fall entirely within the provisions of the Quality Manual. Members of QSC receive reports for Examiners in their Faculty on an annual basis to check on quality assurance of programmes and courses. External Examining at the University of Nottingham 8
External Examining Quality Assurance Monitoring Mechanisms Quality Manual policies are in place for approval of new programmes and modules, approval of amendments to programmes and modules, and closure of courses. Teaching & Learning Review: the University of Nottingham’s approach to ensuring we maintain high quality, competitive, and well managed academic programmes. Reviews are constructive and holistic exercises, covering teaching and learning and operate according to a 5 year schedule. EE reports feature in the paperwork provided to the panel. Annual Monitoring of programmes by Schools and report to QSC. External Examining at the University of Nottingham 9
Annual Monitoring Schools are expected on an annual basis to monitor each of their programmes to ensure that no major difficulties have arisen and that appropriate opportunities for improvement have been identified. All programmes (taught and research) must be monitored, including those offered at the international campuses and templates are available from the Quality Manual. Monitoring includes: Consideration of External Examiners’ reports Review of Modules (including SEM) Student Evaluation of Teaching Learning Community Fora Quantitative Data Set information ie key performance indicators External Examining at the University of Nottingham 10
Payment of External Examiners The amount of fees payable upon receipt of the annual report is notified in the appointment letter. Expense claims: payable by the school so can be submitted direct or to external-examiners@nottingham.ac.uk Fees: the previously notified amount will be paid when the examiner’s report has been received. Please email completed report forms to external-examiners@nottingham.ac.uk and Quality & Standards will forward on to the school and initiate the payment process External Examining at the University of Nottingham 11
Payment of External Examiners •Home Office guidance: The University has a legal responsibility under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 to ensure that all individuals who undertake paid work for the University have the right to work in the UK – further information available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/business- sponsors/preventing-illegal-working/ •Casual workers and HESA reporting requirements •Real Time Information Reporting to HMRC •Auto-enrolment into pension scheme •Payments for examiners who work at UNMC/UNNC External Examining at the University of Nottingham 12
Quality Assurance at The University of Nottingham Policies in Quality Manual available at: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/academicservices/q ualitymanual/aboutthequalitymanual.aspx QAA home page at: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/ External Examining at the University of Nottingham 13
External Examining at The University of Nottingham Christine Bexton Head of Quality and Standards Administration Academic Services Division email: christine.bexton@nottingham.ac.uk claire.burton@nottingham.ac.uk (appointment and payments) External Examining at the University of Nottingham 14
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