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For external examiners

The University places great value on its relationships with its external examiners; you play a critical role in assisting the University to discharge its responsibilities with respect to the standards of our awards. Thank you for all that you do to support this integral and essential part of our quality assurance framework.

Induction

Upon appointment, you will be invited to attend a University induction event. These are held twice a year (usually in March and in September) and we strongly encourage you to attend. The induction includes briefings on the role of the external examiner and on the University’s Regulations for progression and award. The afternoon is spent with your Department and is a great opportunity to meet those with which you will working and also understand departmental-specific assessment processes. See the induction information for specific dates.

Undertaking your role

The core tasks to be undertaken are to:

• review (and comment on) draft assessment tasks (eg draft examination questions);
• assist in the ongoing calibration of standards through a review of a sample of completed assessments (eg examination scripts, essays, practice-based assessments);
• be a member of the Board of Examiners and attend Board meetings;
• submit a report to the Vice-Chancellor annually within six weeks after the final Programme (Ratification Panel) Examination Board.  Where you have been appointed to both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes a separate report should be submitted for each level;
• comment on proposed modifications to programmes.

Annual Reports

The templates for the External Examiner Annual Report Forms 2023-24 are available below.

Please select the appropriate form to complete:

• External Examiner Annual Report Form 2023-24 - All except HYMS .

• External Examiner Annual Report Form 2023-24 - HYMS only.

You may wish to refer to the 2023-24 Summary of Questions, prior to completing the form.

Fees and expenses

Your fee will automatically be paid after you have submitted your report. In addition, the University will pay travelling expenses and any other reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in accordance with our guidelines:

• External Examiner Expenses Guidelines (PDF , 66kb)

Please claim your expenses using the form and sending it to examiners@york.ac.uk. Expenses claims must be processed within three months of incurring the cost. Please submit the form in a timely manner, even if you have not yet submitted your report:

• External examiner expenses and claim form (MS Word , 18kb)

Serious concerns

If during the course of your engagement you have serious concerns about the academic standards or quality of provision for which you have external examiner oversight, these concerns may be raised directly with the Vice-Chancellor of the University via submission of a confidential report.

If you have a serious concern relating to systemic failings in the academic standards of a programme(s), which remains unresolved after having submitted a confidential report to the Vice-Chancellor, you may invoke the QAA’s Concerns Scheme or, if applicable, inform the relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body.

• QAA Concerns Scheme

Further information

If you have any questions about your engagement as external examiner please contact your department or the Academic Support Office at mailto:examiners@york.ac.uk.