External examiners

The External Examiner system is an established process used across the UK Higher Education system to ensure that courses across different universities are comparable. Our External Examiners give us an impartial view of our courses and independent advice to ensure that modules and courses at the University meet the academic standards expected across UK higher education. External Examiners are one of many quality assurance mechanisms which ensure the assessment and marking processes across the University of Essex’s provision are fair, rigorous and operate in accordance with institutional policies and regulations. As part of their role, External Examiners also consider proposed  curriculum developments and so help to ensure that your course remains up to date.

Every course and module (above level 4) delivered by the University has an assigned External Examiner. The names and home institutions of External Examiners currently working with the University of Essex are published on the Module Directory and within the Programme Specifications. External Examiners are usually experienced academics from other universities, but may also be from industry, business or the relevant profession depending on the requirements of the course. 

External Examiners sit on the membership for Board of Examiners meetings where student marks and awards are ratified. 

You may be opportunity to meet External Examiners to discuss your experience as a student.  These meetings can provide the External Examiners with valuable feedback from across the courses or modules for which they are responsible. 

External Examiners only advise on academic matters and cannot influence the circumstances or marks of individual students. Students must not contact External Examiners outside of any structured meetings organised for them. External Examiners will not respond to any students who contact them directly and will refer any instances of unsolicited contact to their department contact.

External Examiners submit a formal report on the provision they oversee each academic year. These reports are read by departmental/school staff, Faculty Deans, and the Quality and Academic Development team. Departments/schools are required to provide each External Examiner with a formal response outlining how their feedback has been considered, and any actions they are taking as a result. Themes across reports are subsequently discussed at formal committees including the Faculty Education Committees, and Academic Quality and Standards Committee. 

Students should have access to External Examiner reports via their representatives on Faculty Education Committee and on departmental/school Student Voice Groups, or equivalent.