Course Approval: The External Expert Report

The department should identify and approach an external expert who should be asked to scrutinise the proposal and provide a brief written report. 

The external should be asked to comment specifically upon:

• the currency of the proposed curriculum;
• the appropriateness of the curriculum in relation to the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications; national subject benchmarks and similar provision at other HEIs;
• the appropriateness of the strategy for assessment. 

Where a new course proposal falls into approval category 1 (new courses which are wholly constructed from existing modules or include no more than one new module that contribute to degree classification (UG) or no more than one new core module (PGT)), the external expert report can be provided by an existing or recent external examiner.

Where a new course proposal falls into approval category 2 (New courses which include more than one new module that contribute to degree classification (UG) or more than one new core module (PGT)) the external expert should not be a current or recent (within the last 3 years) external examiner.  Use of an external expert for approval purposes does not affect the subsequent eligibility of that individual for nomination as an external examiner. 

If you are unclear which approval category your proposal falls into please contact the Academic Standards and Partnerships Office or speak to your Academic Officer.

The external expert is entitled to a fee of £150 on completion of their written report.  The fee is paid by the Academic Standards and Partnerships Office.  The department should pay the external expert's fee and claim it back from the Academic Standards and Partnerships Office.