Why become an External Examiner?

As a professional who cares about students and enjoys marking, you might wish to consider becoming an External Examiner. UKAP employs dedicated teams of examiners to mark scripts, and from time to time, opportunities arise to join individual subject teams. If you might be interested in joining this team, then please read on.

What does an External Examiner do?

An External Examiner is employed to mark scripts, usually on 4 occasions per year (January, April, July and October ands as needed for Overseas Course Providers). Once you have applied and been accepted as an External Examiner & Inspector, you will be sent full administrative instructions just prior to the exam about your role in the marking team. Just after the exam has been sat, you’ll receive the question paper and the marking scheme. A meeting of all External Examiner  is held approximately a week after the exam - attendance at this meeting is compulsory, and its aim is to make sure you understand the marking procedures with the result that all markers can apply the marking scheme consistently, once you’ve attended the meeting, you’ll have up to four weeks to mark your script allocation.

UKAP criteria which an External Examiner would normally be expected to meet.

Education:

First degree (at least second class).	Essential
Masters degree in a relevant subject area or professional qualification.	Desirable

Experience:

What skills do you need to be an External Examiner ? Applicants must have: an appropriate occupational background and experience in the sector they wish to work. knowledge of or experience in education and/or training. experience of quality assurance systems. the ability to gather information and to make objective independent judgments about assessment practice and procedures within centers. good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with others. experience in administrative duties (e.g. completing reports and maintaining records). a minimum of 10 days per annum available on which to undertake this role. at least two years’ prior experience in Higher Education and/or professional body of marking and setting or evaluating assessments.	Essential
Relevant teaching or practitioner/ consultancy experience (for the subject matter of the paper applied for). You should be currently lecturing/ teaching or engaged in consultancy/ practice, or have very recently retired.	Essential
Professional updating in area of specialism.	Essential
Demonstration of being up to date in educational and subject issues, and assessment methodology.	Essential
Employed as External Examiner to a recognised programme/institution.	Desirable
Other professional body faculty experience.	Desirable