Last updated June 2025
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.
The RES / Economics Network/ CTaLE webinar "Modernising Economics Exams" on 11 February 2025 included a section on external examining in economics. Video is available on YouTube.
Many universities have online handbooks or codes of practice for external examiners. Some examples:
- University of Kent
- University of Ulster
- University of Bath
- University of Portsmouth
- London School of Economics
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 for courses in the UK. Key contacts, heads of department, or other staff from subscribing departments can get access on request. Use this form to add your own details; you do not have to be in a subscribing department to advertise your availability for external examining.
If you already have access to the database, you can find it in the Economics Network Moodle.
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