EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ HANDBOOK October 2020 UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER EXTERNAL EXAMINERS’ HANDBOOK FOREWORD The University is pleased to welcome you as a new external examiner. This handbook has been produced to provide guidance on your role as external examiner. I hope that you find it useful and that your experience at the University will be enjoyable. The handbook derives its authority from the University's Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations as well as the operational procedures which have been approved by relevant University committees. It has taken account of the final report and recommendations of the Universities UK / GuildHE Review of external examining in universities and colleges in the UK (March 2011) and of the chapter of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education dealing with external examining (December 2012). Please note that the handbook describes arrangements during normal times when face-to- face teaching, campus-based examinations and meetings of Boards of Examiners take place. Alternative arrangements have been made during the period of the pandemic in light of the restrictions which apply. Should you have any questions about your appointment please contact the appropriate Examinations Office at the address below. If your query is related to the programme, please contact the Course or Subject Director for the course or subject to which you have been appointed. A G FAULKNER Head of Academic Office For courses at Belfast and Jordanstown For courses at Coleraine and Magee For courses in Partner Institutions Examinations Office Examinations Office Ulster University Ulster University Shore Road Cromore Road NEWTOWNABBEY COLERAINE BT37 OQB BT52 1SA Tel: 028 9036 6620 Tel: 028 7012 4061 Fax: 028 9036 6820 Fax: 028 7012 4908 CONTENTS Page 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the University ............................................................................ 1 1.2 University Awards: Programme Structure and Delivery ................................... 4 1.3 Collaborative Provision ................................................................................... 11 1.4 Equality of Opportunity ................................................................................... 11 2 ASSURING STANDARDS 2.1 Principles of Standards Assurance and Quality Management ...................... 12 2.2 Responsibility for Standards ........................................................................... 13 2.3 Course Evaluation and Revalidation .............................................................. 14 2.4 Course Revisions ............................................................................................ 14 2.5 Annual Monitoring and Module Monitoring ..................................................... 14 2.6 Quality of Teaching and the Student Learning Experience ........................... 15 3 ROLE OF COURSE/SUBJECT EXTERNAL EXAMINER AND BOARD OF EXAMINERS 3.1 Appointment .................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Duties .............................................................................................................. 18 3.3 Participation in the Assessment Process ....................................................... 18 3.4 Visits and Induction ......................................................................................... 19 3.5 Boards of Examiners....................................................................................... 20 3.6 Attendance at Boards of Examiners ............................................................... 21 3.7 Conduct of Business at Boards of Examiners ................................................ 22 3.8 Prizes .............................................................................................................. 24 4 ROLE OF CHIEF EXTERNAL EXAMINER AND PROGRESS AND AWARD BOARD 4.1 Appointment .................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Duties .............................................................................................................. 25 4.3 Progress and Award Board............................................................................. 25 4.4 Attendance ...................................................................................................... 26 4.5 Conduct of Business at Progress and Award Board ...................................... 26 5 ASSESSMENT PRINCIPLES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 5.1 Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning ................................... 26 5.2 Assessment Policies and Practices ................................................................ 27 5.3 Pass Marks and Mark Bands .......................................................................... 28 5.4 Final Awards and Final Award Bands ............................................................ 29 5.5 Viva Voce and Oral Examinations .................................................................. 30 5.6 Consequences of Failure ................................................................................ 30 5.7 Illness and Other Extenuating Circumstances ............................................... 32 5.8 Aegrotat and Posthumous Awards ................................................................. 33 5.9 Student Access to Examination Documents .................................................. 33 5.10 Appeals ........................................................................................................... 34 5.11 Cheating and Plagiarism ................................................................................. 34 6 EXTERNAL EXAMINER'S REPORT ......................................................................... 34 7 FEES, EXPENSES AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS ............................................ 36 i 8 DATA PROTECTION AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACTS ..........................36 9 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Checklist of course or subject specific material to be provided on an individual basis by the Course or Subject Director ..................................................................... 36 10 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION Documentation on which this handbook is based and other resources .................... 37 APPENDICES 1 Duties of Course Directors.......................................................................................... 40 2 Duties of Subject Directors ......................................................................................... 41 3 Duties of Director of Combined Studies ..................................................................... 42 4 Qualifications and Credit Framework ......................................................................... 43 5 QAA Qualification Descriptors .................................................................................... 44 6 Generic Credit Level Descriptors................................................................................ 48 7a) Sample agenda for meeting of Course Board ............................................................ 51 7b) Sample agenda for meeting of Subject Board ........................................................... 52 8 Academic Standing Codes ......................................................................................... 53 9 Sample agenda for meeting of Progress and Award Board ...................................... 56 10 Assessment Criteria by Level ..................................................................................... 57 11a) External Examiner's Report Form .............................................................................. 67 11b) External Examiner’s Report Form for courses in a subject network .......................... 71 12 Chief External Examiner’s Report Form ..................................................................... 75 ii 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the University The University of Ulster was founded in 1984 by Royal Charter as a result of a petition from The New University of Ulster and the Ulster Polytechnic. The University is based on four campuses, at Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown, and Magee College, Londonderry. It now brands itself as Ulster University. Staff and Student Population The student population has grown from 11,182 in 1984/85 to 24,061 (inclusive of off-campus University students) in 2019/20. The 2019/20 population, broken down by mode of attendance and by University campus, is as follows: Campus BELFAST COLERAINE JORDANSTOWN MAGEE Full-time 1,634 3,115 8,230 3,456 Part-time 360 1,206 5,279 781 There were 911 full-time students of the University at the Birmingham and London campuses of QAHE, a partner institution. The University employs 2,637 staff: 1,246 academic and research staff and 1,391 support staff. The University’s Objects and Strategic Plan The objects of the University, as stated in its Charter are: “to advance education through a variety of patterns, levels and modes of study and by a diversity of means by encouraging and developing learning and creativity, for the benefit of the community in Northern Ireland and elsewhere; to preserve, advance and disseminate knowledge and culture through teaching, scholarship and research, and to make available the results of such research; and to promote wisdom and understanding by the example and influence of corporate life.” The Strategic Plan (2016) identifies four broad priority areas: civic contribution, academic excellence, global vision, and operational excellence. Excellence in teaching will