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External Examiner Induction 4 April 2019

Explore the role of external examiners, academic regulations, quality framework, and assessment regulations at Edinburgh Napier University.

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External Examiner Induction 4 April 2019

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  1. External Examiner Induction4April 2019 Professor Alyson Tobin Vice Principal of Learning and Teaching Pamela Calabrese Quality & Standards Manager Elise Russell Quality & Standards Manager

  2. Agenda • External Examining in the UK • Quality & Standards at Edinburgh Napier • Edinburgh Napier Academic Regulations • The role of the External Examiner at Edinburgh Napier

  3. External Examining in the UK • Universities UK & GuildHEReport on external examining arrangements (‘Finch Review’) (2011) • HE Academy’s AReview of external examining arrangements across the UK, 2015 (Commissioned by HEFCE), (2015) • QAA Quality Code: External Expertise (2018) • HEFCE project on degree standards, 2016-2020 (professional development for external examiners) • UKSCQA Degree Classification: transparent, consistent and fair (2018)

  4. The UK Quality Code • A degree-awarding body is responsible for the standards of its qualifications. The engagement of an external examiner…will provide assurance to the provider…that the academic standards and quality achieved are in accordance with national qualification frameworks and other requirements. • External examining is therefore an integral and essential part of institutional quality assurance. • Source: External Expertise- Advice and Guidance, UK Quality Code, QAA (2018)

  5. The Quality Code – Threshold Academic Standards Threshold academic standards are the level of achievement that a student has to reach to gain an academic award. For equivalent awards, the threshold level of achievement should be the same across the UK. External examiners are appointed to provide each institution with impartial and independent advice, as well as informative comment on the institution’s standards and on student achievement in relation to those standards. Source: External Expertise- Advice and Guidance, UK Quality Code, QAA (2018)

  6. Quality & Standards at Edinburgh Napier

  7. Our structure • Six Schools across three Edinburgh campuses • School of Applied Sciences (SAS) - Sighthill • School of Health & Social Care (SHSC) - Sighthill • School of Arts & Creative Industries (SACI) - Merchiston • School of Computing (SOC) - Merchiston • School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE) - Merchiston • The Business School - Craiglockhart • c.14,000 students on campus in Edinburgh • c.4,300 students at about 25 Collaborative Partners worldwide • c.1,500 online distance learners (predominantly in the Business School)

  8. The Quality Framework https://staff.napier.ac.uk/services/dlte/quality/qualityframework/Pages/qualityframework.aspx

  9. Key Quality Processes There are four key quality processes at Edinburgh Napier: Annual Monitoring Programme Review Programme Approval First year review of collaborative provision Each of these is described in the Quality Framework.

  10. External Examiners • Reports from External Examiners inform each of these key quality processes. • External Examiners play a vital role in: • assuring quality and academic standards • supporting the enhancement of our programmes.

  11. University Academic Regulations https://staff.napier.ac.uk/services/dlte/Regulations/Pages/Regulations.aspx

  12. University Academic Regulations All members of examination boards are expected to be familiar with the contents of Sections A-C of the University Regulations. You are not expected to know all of the Regulations off the top of your head!

  13. University Academic Regulations Regulations A3, B2 and C2 include definitions of the terms commonly used within our Boards at Edinburgh Napier. compensatory pass programme specific requirements stage of study

  14. AssessmentRegulations Our undergraduate provision is assessed using a percentage mark system (0-100%). Our postgraduate provision is assessed on the basis of a 16-point grading scale incorporating three standards:Distinction, Pass and Fail.

  15. Assessment Regulations To pass a module at the first attempt, students must achieve a minimum mark of 40% (SCQF 7-10) or P1 (SCQF 11). If two components of assessment are used, a student must achieve at least 40%/P1 on the weighted marks achieved for each component, with no individual mark for a component falling below 30%/F1. There is no minimum mark requirement for individual elements making up a component (Regulations B5.3 & C5.2).

  16. Assessment Regulations Students are entitled to 1 compulsory opportunity forreassessment in July. The overall mark for a reassessed module is capped at 40%/P1. In exceptional cases a Programme Board has the discretion to permit one further attempt (Regulations B5.5-5.10 & C5.5-C5.12).

  17. Continuation of Study Regulations Exceptionally students may be permitted to progress to the next stage of study carrying a failure in no more than 20 credits. (Regulation B6.2) However…

  18. Continuation of Study Regulations Programme Boards must not permit a student to progress to the next stage of study carrying a fail in any programme specific compulsory or option module from a preceding stage of study. (Regulation B6.4)

  19. University Academic Regulations Practical Session 1 In pairs or small groups, take a look at scenarios 1 and 2in your packs. Board sheet: https://www.youtube.com/embed/3HiG639rg3s?vq=hd720

  20. Continuation of Study Regulations Programme Assessment Boards may award a compensatory pass where the student has: achieved a minimum of 35%*/F1 in a module; submitted in each component of assessment in that module and; passed all other modules in that stage of study. *In exceptional circumstances which MUST be noted in the minutes, the Board has the discretion to award a discretionary pass to a student who achieves a minimum of 30% in the module (Reg B6.3/C6.3).

  21. Continuation of Study Regulations A student not permitted to progress to the next stage of study may be permitted to continue their studies at the same level either in the same programme or on an alternative programme of study provided that the students meets the admission requirements. (Regulation B6.5)

  22. Award Regulations Regulations B3 and C3 define the criteria which must be satisfied to receive an award of the University.

  23. University Academic Regulations Practical Session 2 Please try out scenarios 3-5 in your pairs/groups.

  24. Single Tier Board System At Edinburgh Napier University, we operate a single tier system with student profiles being considered at: Programme Assessment Boards, (PAB) Some external examiners will only be responsible for maintaining oversight of module provision. Some external examiners will maintain oversight of both modules and programmes.

  25. Single Tier Board System • The academic year: • Consists of three trimesters • two main intakes of students: • September – referred to as ‘Occurrence A’ • January – referred to as ‘Occurrence B’

  26. Programme Assessment Boards Programme Assessment Boards are held at the end of each of our three trimesters. Schools use the ‘Key dates calendar’ to identify appropriate timing of Boards and we ask Schools to inform external examiners of Board dates as soon as possible.

  27. Modules • You will be expected to: • Moderate assessment briefs • Review assessed work and provide an oversight of module mark or grade distribution.

  28. Programme Assessment Board Responsibilities • Who attends? • a Convenor (the Dean of School or a designated senior member of academic staff from the same school) • a Clerk (who has undertaken the mandatory training and updating) • the programme leader of all programmes of study associated with the students being considered; • the external examiner responsible for the oversight of programmes of study associated with the students being considered. • A member of staff may not serve as Convenor when it is considering a programme in whose assessment he or she has been involved.

  29. Programme Assessment Board Responsibilities Reporting by exception to consider the profile of each student studying on the programme taking account of the confirmed results and recommendations made during module assessment. Programme Assessment Boards have responsibility for formally ratifying marks agreed through module assessment by confirming due process regarding marking and internal and external moderation has been satisfactorily completed. (Regulation A11.2.8)

  30. Programme Assessment Board Responsibilities • Permitting a student with valid extenuating circumstances, (ECs) to take the assessment at the next opportunity as a first attempt. • Deciding if a student will progress, continue or exit the programme • Deciding on the awardand classification taking account of ECs, cusp regulations etc. • Compensation • (Regulation A11.2.8)

  31. University Academic Regulations Practical Session 3 Scenario 6

  32. The Role of the External Examiner The role and responsibilities of external examiners are defined in Regulation A10. External examiners advise the Programme Assessment Board, but decisions on student performance and awards are those of the Board as a whole, i.e. the external examiner does not get a casting vote.

  33. The Role of the External Examiner • Regulation A10.3 • As a minimum, external examiners are asked to review a square root sample of completed assessment assignments and comment on: • Whether the academic standard of each module or programme of study being considered is set and maintained at the appropriate level; • Whether the standards of student performance are properly judged against the level set.

  34. The Role of the External Examiner • Regulation A10.3 cont’d • Whether the assessment process is appropriate, rigorous, equitable and conducted in accordance with University guidance; • The comparability of the standard and level of student achievement with those in other higher education institutions.

  35. External Examiner Reports External examiners are asked to report annually to the University on issues relating to the ‘Academic Good Health’ of our provision (set out in Regulation A10.5) and good practice identified. Once received in the School, the annual report is distributed to appropriate staff to identify any issues raised that require investigation and consideration. A response should be sent to the external examiner.

  36. External Examiner Reports Return dates: 1 July 2019 - undergraduate provision 7 October 2019 - taught masters provision

  37. External Examiner Payment and Expenses https://staff.napier.ac.uk/services/dlte/quality/External_Examiners/external_examiners/Pages/fees.aspx

  38. Thank you Visit the External Examining webpages at: https://staff.napier.ac.uk/services/dlte/quality/External_Examiners

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