External examiners (taught provision) are appointed to provide the University with impartial and independent advice and informed comment on the institution's academic standards and student achievement in relation to those standards, through oversight of the assessment process at the module and programme/award level. All University programmes of study, and modules therein, leading to an award of credit at foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate taught level must have one or more external examiners appointed.
Code of Practice
Central to the University’s External Examiner System (Taught Programmes) is the Code of Practice. All external examiners appointed by the University are required to adhere to the Code of Practice and within the University it is the responsibility of the Head of School or their nominee to ensure the information in this Code of Practice is adhered to and communicated to the nominated Examinations Officer and all academic staff designated as internal examiners. Legislation are cohort specific. The Code of Practice should be viewed specific to the year the students started their studies.
Guidance
The guidance below supports the Code of Practice and staff working with external examiners should ensure they are aware of the information in each.
Forms
Useful contacts
General inquiries
College Academic Policy Partners (CAPPs)
Each 'CAPP' works in partnership with a college and their remit includes external examiners. To find out who your 'CAPP' is please see:
Head of School/Director of Education
To find out who your Head of School or Director of Education is please see:
Research Student Administration Team
For information about external examiners for postgraduate research programmes (not taught programmes)
External examiners
If you are a current external examiner for taught programmes, information and guidelines can be found at www.birmingham.ac.uk/external