Role of External Examiners and HSAP Database
Role of External Examiner:
The work of external examiners is a central part of quality assurance of all HEI programmes. The external examining system is one of the most important ways of ensuring that the courses and programmes within UK higher education are academically sound and comparable. At least one external examiner is appointed for each subject or group of subjects forming part of a degree programme.
The role involves helping institutions ensure that:
- The academic standard of each award, and its component parts, is set and maintained at the appropriate level, and that the standard of student performance is properly judged against this
- The assessment process appropriately measures student achievement against the intended outcomes of the programme, and is rigorous, fairly operated and in line with the institution's policies and regulations
- Institutions are able to compare the standards of their awards with those of other higher education institutions.
Database of External Examiners:
The database exists to enable both those who wish to be appointed as an external examiner and those wishing to make an appointment to find each other. Both novice and experienced external examiners from the Health Sciences and Practice disciplines are welcome to put their details on the database. 
External Examiner Registration Form.
Heads of Departments, or those at a similar level responsible for appointing external examiners, will have access to a password protected area on request to us.
The Higher Education Academy Health Sciences & Practice Subject Centre is offering this service free of charge to departments in UK HE. However, it will make no assessment of the suitability of individual candidates, providing only contact details to enable further discussion. All subsequent arrangements will be made between the parties concerned. Those making appointments have the responsibility to ascertain whether or not a particular individual is suitable to take on the role and provide suitable induction.
Under the Data Protection Act 1988, we can create this database from information provided only by people who give their own details, and who would be happy for their name and email address to be on a password-protected area of this site available only to those in a position to appoint external examiners.
