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QE Strategy
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External AssessorsExternal Assessors are an integral component of the University's quality monitoring and assurance procedures and are required, under the University Assessment Regulations, to report annually to Senate on the conduct of assessments just concluded and on issues relating to assessment. The appointment of External Assessors The procedures for the appointment of External Assessors are outlined in Section 2 of the University Assessment Regulations. The Quality Office is responsible for the management of this process. Senate appoints External Assessors on the basis of nominations from Schools. External Assessors are appointed for a period of up to four years in the first instance, with a one-year extension permissible, giving a maximum period of five years. Appendix 9(a) of Section 9 of the QAEH outlines the process for the appointment of external assessors. The External Assessors Subcommittee has devolved authority from the Learning and Teaching Subcommittee to approve External Assessor appointments including extension to period of tenure, duties and re-allocation of duties. External Assessor's Annual Report The purpose of the External Assessor's Annual Report is to enable Senate to judge whether the programme award is meeting its stated objectives and to allow any necessary improvements to be made, either immediately or at the next programme re-approval, as appropriate. Consideration of the External Assessor's Annual Report The Quality Office should normally receive the External Assessor’s annual report no later than 31 October in each year of the Assessor’s appointment. The Director of Quality will, on receipt of each report, scrutinise the report and bring any concerns to the attention of the Head of Learning, Teaching, and Quality (for action), and copied to the Dean of School. As a result of the initial scrutiny, the Director of Quality may consider a report to be of a serious nature and request the Head of Learning, Teaching, and Quality (copied to the Dean) to initiate immediate action. Depending upon the nature of the issues raised, the Director of Quality may wish to respond directly to the External Assessor on behalf of the University. This procedure will be instigated where issues of comparability of standards are raised, or in cases where the Director feels it appropriate to respond on behalf of the University. Where less serious issues are raised, the Director of Quality will request that the School formulates the response to the External Assessor. Prior to the response being sent, the Director of Quality will approve it in terms of sufficiency. In all cases where a serious issue has been raised, the Quality Office requires confirmation that the External Assessor is satisfied with the response. Appendix 9(b) outlines the process for responding to External Assessors. Schools will be required to confirm to the Quality Office, by January of each year, that:
The reports on actions taken in response to External Assessors’ reports will, where necessary, be included in module action plans or programme action plans, as appropriate. The Quality Office will undertake responsibility to chase up outstanding reports. The Quality Office is responsible for providing Senate with an overview report on External Assessor activity in January of each year. Last updated: 19-Feb-2010 |
Useful links Flowcharts of the process for the appointment of External Assessors and process for the consideration of External Assessors' is outlined in Section 9 of the QAEH Form EXT1 (application of approval of an external assessor for a module and/or taught programme) Form EXT2 (application for extension to period of tenure/duties or re-allocation of duties between approved External Assessors) External Assessor's Annual Report Pro-forma
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