2026-27
Appointment of External Examiners for Taught Courses at Undergraduate and Postgraduate Level
23.1 External Examiners are usually appointed for four years, although in exceptional circumstances an appointment can be extended for an additional year. Once an External Examiner's term of office has expired, they may not be re-appointed as an External Examiner for the University until five years have elapsed.
Academic Policy & Governance advises Heads of School or their nominee when an External Examiner's appointment is due to expire and requests that steps be taken to appoint a replacement.
Appointment Process
1. The appropriate School nominee completes a nomination form and signs it. The form must also be signed and endorsed by the Head(s) of School. A CV must be included with the nomination form upon submission to Academic Policy & Governance.
In the case of intercalated degrees, due to the number of Schools involved, it is acceptable for the nominating School to obtain agreement via email from the other participating Schools and for the head of the nominating School only to sign the form. Evidence of these agreements should be included with the original nomination form.
2. The form is then passed to Academic Policy & Governance for approval.
3. After consideration and approval, an appointment letter is sent to the examiner. Copies of this appointment letter are also sent to the appropriate School contacts.
Appointment
On appointment External Examiners will be provided with all relevant documentation pertaining to the role.