Quality Gateway
Information for External Examiners
External Examiners have a fundamental role in maintaining academic standards and assuring and enhancing quality. As independent professionals, External Examiners provide assurance regarding the comparability of standards within the UK.
The role of External Examiner
The UK Quality Code Advice and Guidance: External Expertise (PDF, 1,4MB) sets the national context for the operation of this role.
Detailed information about the role of External Examiner at York St John University is set out in Section 49 of the Code of Practice for Assessment document.
The following documents provide a timeline of key responsibilities:
- Undergraduate External Examiner Timeline (PDF, 0.1 MB)
- Postgraduate External Examiner Timeline (PDF, 0.1 MB)
Induction to the role
We greatly appreciate the time of all colleagues who work with us as External Examiners. To support you in the role we normally hold an annual External Examiners' briefing in the Autumn term.
Notes from our previous briefings are available: External Examiner Induction December 2023 (pdf 0.3 MB)
University and programme information
It is important for External Examiners to understand our regulations and how they may differ from those at their home institutions. You can take a look at these by visiting the regulations area of our website.
All the University assessment policies and procedures are collated in the Code of Practice for Assessment, and External Examiners should use the Code as a reference document in their role.
For programme-specific documentation, you can take a look at our:
Moodle
Moodle is York St John University's virtual learning environment. This is an online resource where students can find resources, prompts to self-directed learning, a week to week layout of their modules and submit their assignments.
External Examiners will need to engage with Moodle as part of the assessment process. Moodle also provides External Examiners with the opportunity to engage directly with teaching materials and learning support.
Please refer to the document Technology Enhanced Learning pages have further support and information for External Examiners regarding how to access and use Moodle.
Reporting
We ask all External Examiners to produce a report each year.
York St John University has a generic report form for this process. Please note that, in accordance with national guidelines, these reports are shared with students in full.
External Examiners are reminded that they may make separate and confidential reports to the Vice Chancellor on any matter of serious concern.
Please note that the forms must be completed in one session. The questions are provided in the word documents below for information prior to completing the online form:
External Examiner Report:
External Examiner for Progress and Award Report:
- External Examiner for Progress and Award Report form
- External Examiner for Progress Award - questions for information (docx, 29KB)
Submission dates
External Examiner Reports should be submitted no later than:
- 1 August for programmes examined in summer.
- 1 November for programmes examined in September or October.
The External Examiner for Progress and Award report should be submitted by 1 November.
Payment and expenses
Information regarding payment and expenses is available on the Payment for External Examiners page. If you have any queries please contact your Programme Administration & Support Services (PASS) administrator.
