Generic PowerPoint Presentation Title Page

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External Examiner Induction Day 23 February 2005
Welcome by Mr Andrew Pilkington Assistant to the
Rector
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Introduction
Speakers for Introductory Session

• Mr Andrew Pilkington Assistant to the Rector
• Dr Jo Dandy Director of Academic Office
• Dr Bill Brakes Director of Taught Programmes
• Mrs Jane Bunce Academic Registrar

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University Designation

• University designation is longstanding goal
• Application under the old rules
• Prima facie case accepted May 2003
• Initial (year long) scrutiny visit concluded in
  July 2004
• Short final visit expected in April 2005
• Implications of successful outcome

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Role of External Examiners at UCN

• Engage with internal examiners, including those
  at partner institutions where applicable, to
  promote dialogue and constructive criticism
• Make judgements as to whether the standards set
  at UCN meet sector norms
• Document this engagement and these judgements in
  the form of publishable comments and internal
  report
• Expect to receive a timely response from UCN

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Range of Duties

• Approve draft exam papers and assignments and
  associated marking schemes
• Sample the marking of internal examiners
• Sample standards of student work
• Participate in Board of Examiner meetings and
  sign off results
• Comment on appropriateness of proposed changes to
  provision

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Range of Duties possible duties

• Meet with students or attend student performances
  or exhibitions
• Participate in viva voce examinations
• Visit partner colleges, where appropriate
• Role will depend on appointment different roles
  for field examiners, principal framework
  examiners and non-framework examiners

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Organisational Structure

• UCN is organised into six academic Schools
• Applied Sciences
• The Arts
• Education
• Health
• Northampton Business School
• Social Sciences

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New School Structure
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New School Structure
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Important UCN Policies

• Moderation policies institutional and
  departmental
• Mitigating circumstances policy and procedures
• Regulations governing academic appeals
  student complaints fitness to practise
• Procedures for alleged academic misconduct

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Administration of the Assessment Process

• Role of the Programme Support Teams and Student
  Assessment Office
• Timescale
• Boards of Examiners Role of the External
  Examiner
• Conferment

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UCN Frameworks

• Three UCN academic frameworks
• Common Academic Framework (CAF)
• Healthcare Common Undergraduate Framework (being
  brought into CAF)
• Postgraduate Modular Scheme
• Operation of framework/non-framework exam boards
  and different roles of external examiners

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Fields and Assessment

• Fields are sets of cognate modules
• Fields are responsible for quality assurance and
  for standards
• Assessment of each module is linked to learning
  outcomes
• Elements of assessment are aggregated to produce
  overall outcome for each student
• Grades are used in CAF, percentages in PGMS, in
  both cases against generic criteria

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Teaching Quality Information

• First section of external examiner annual report
  form will be published
• Three statements to sign off giving your
  judgements about UCNs quality and standards
• Details of home institution will be published on
  national web site
• More detailed comments for rest of report

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Annual Report Form/Documentation

• Currently being revised in the light of comments
  made by external examiners over the previous two
  sessions
• Report template and all documentation relating to
  external examiner role available on web site
  athttp//www.northampton.ac.uk Click on gt
  Schools and Departments gt
  Academic OfficeLink at the foot of the page
  for External Examiners

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Central Contacts at UCN

• Mr Nick AllenAssistant Director of Academic
  OfficeTelephone (01604) 89 3278Email
  nick.allen_at_northampton.ac.uk
• Mrs Helen BaileySecretary to Academic
  OfficeTelephone (01604) 89 3044E-mail
  helen.bailey_at_northampton.ac.uk
• Reports should be sent directly to Director of
  Academic Office, via email or post, details are
  on report formEmail jo.dandy_at_northampton.ac.uk