The Economics Network

Improving economics teaching and learning for over 20 years

External examining in Economics

Why be an external examiner?

Ins and outs of external examining is a short article by Robert MacIntosh, head of Heriot-Watt University’s School of Social Sciences in Times Higher Education (registration required).

Be a supportive and critical friend: the role of an external examiner in the Guardian by James Derounian, University of Gloucestershire.

Advice for external examiners and for departments

The QAA's UK Quality Code for Higher Education includes a section on External Expertise which spells out guiding principles for departments employing external examiners. See also the other QAA links including the Economics Subject Benchmark.

Fundamentals of external examining is a 15-page booklet published in 2019 by AdvanceHE.

Many universities have online handbooks or codes of practice for external examiners. Some examples:

Register of external examiners in economics

We host a database of external examiners in economics and those who are not currently external examiners in economics, but would be willing to be so. This is a service to UK departments only. A password is available to heads of department on request. Use this form to add your own details. If you have a password, view the database here.

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