Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL) is a pioneering university, steeped in history and culture, yet constantly evolving and adapting to the demands of modern higher education. The University was founded by two social reformers who pioneered the ideal of education and knowledge for all who could benefit. It was among the first places in Britain where women could access higher education. Bedford College, in London, opened its doors in 1849, and Royal Holloway College's stunning Founder's Building was unveiled by Queen Victoria in 1886 – it is still the focal point of the campus. In 1900, the colleges became part of the University of London and, in 1985, they merged to form what is now known as Royal Holloway.

As one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, Royal Holloway is home to some of the world’s foremost authorities in the sciences, arts, business, economics and law. Growing from strength to strength, the University now has 11,732 students (with plans to grow to 15,000), 1,744 established members of staff and 9,920 undergraduate students, 1,242 postgraduate students and 535 PhD students. As teachers and researchers, they change lives, expand minds and help current and future leaders understand power and responsibility. Diversity defines the strength of the College, as it welcomes students and academics who travel from all over the world to study and work at RHUL, ensuring an international and multicultural perspective within a close-knit and historic campus.

Royal Holloway has developed a new three-year strategic plan for Royal Holloway for 2021 to 2024 which has been inspired by the Deed of Foundation written for the establishment of one of its founding institutions, Royal Holloway College. It confirms the focus on dual excellence in teaching and research, and aligns it to the opportunities and requirements of our modern times to address local and global needs. Further information on its latest annual accounts can be found here.

The College Principal External Examiner gives advice and assurance relating to undergraduate, integrated masters and taught postgraduate programmes. They have no role in PhDs and / or any other awards governed by the College’s research degree regulations.

The College Principal External Examiner has no role in the adjudication of individual marks, classification decisions or appeals. Their role is to give oversight and assurance for the examination and assessment system, not as a final point of appeal, decision or arbitration that may directly affect the classification or progression of individual students or groups of students.

The role of the College Principal External Examiner is to:

• Give an external independent expert opinion and assurance of the overall soundness and robustness of the College’s assessment and award procedures
• Review annually and give assurance to the College that the conduct of the College’s boards of examiners is consistent with the College’s regulations and policies
• Provide assurance and advice relating to the College’s overall system of examination and assessment, including procedures for Examination Boards, examination and assessment regulations, and progression regulations
• Provide assurance and advice relating to the College’s degree algorithm and progression criteria
• Review and give assurance that the College’s overall award and assessment procedures meet relevant external standards, such as QAA’s The Frameworks for HE Qualifications Of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, and that the College’s procedures meet requirements for the Office for Students ‘Ongoing Conditions of Registration’, in particular Section B relating to ‘Quality, Reliable Standards and Positive Outcomes for all Students’
• Review and give assurance that overall institutional standards of award are appropriate, broadly comparable with those made elsewhere in the sector, and that standards are consistent between cohorts
• Give advice about appropriate response and assurance where normal functioning of the College’s examination system is disrupted by exceptional circumstances

The College Principal External Examiner will:

• Attend at least three meetings per year of the College’s Executive Committee for Assessment (ECA). These typically will be in late June / early July at the end of the Undergraduate cycle, in autumn after the PGT cycle and in spring
• Review reports from External Examiners, particularly the reports of School Chief External Examiners each year
• Complete annual written reports, one for undergraduate (UG), and one for postgraduate (PGT) (taught), on the conduct of examinations, processes and procedures, award standards and any other matters covered by their role, giving where necessary written assurance of the soundness and robustness of the College’s assessment and award procedures, and that they meet external requirements. It is suggested that the UG report is completed each autumn term, and the PGT report is completed in the spring term so both can review the previous academic year according to the respective cycles. The reports are tabled at the College’s Quality and Standards Committee for detailed review and response, and then tabled at Academic Board. It is also passed to Council’s Quality Committee (or equivalent)
• Be available to give independent expert advice on developments in examination and assessment procedures, degree algorithms and other assessment changes proposed by the College
• Be available to give independent expert advice to senior College Officers in relation to examination and assessment issues, particularly the Principal, Chair of ECA, Senior Vice Principal (Education) and Vice Principal Quality and Standards

Royal Holloway now seeks an independent expert in tertiary examinations and assessments to become its new Principal External Examiner. This person will be able to provide an independent expert opinion and assurance on the soundness and robustness of the College’s assessment and award procedures. They will provide assurance and advice relating to the College’s assessment systems including procedures for Examination Boards, regulations on assessment and regulations on progression.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in the management of academic quality and standards and will have experience such as: chief examining roles in other institutions; heads of academic quality offices; registrars; VPs / PVCs for education or quality; senior roles in academic or educational quality and regulatory bodies. They will ideally be an expert in external examining or assessments and will bring an independent voice to processes and awards. They will provide assurance of high standards to Council high standards. This person can come from either the school level or Higher Education (HE), but if they come from outside HE, they will still be expected to bring an understanding of the HE sector and the profiles of awards it offers.

Applicants will be comfortable dealing with high-level stakeholders such as the Chair and wider Council and will need to report on time when the Council meets.

Please note: The Principal External Examiner should NOT have been an external examiner or School Chief External Examiner at RHUL in the past five years and should NOT have been a former member of RHUL staff in the past five years.

A list of current College Council members can be found here.  

There are at least three meetings of the College’s Executive Committee for Assessment (ECA) per year. Meetings are typically held in late June / early July at the end of the Undergraduate cycle, in autumn after the PGT cycle, and in spring. Additionally, the Principal Examiner will be expected to contribute a few hours of their time in February and March. The Principal Examiner will receive £1,000 per year in compensation. Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The period of service as College Principal Examiner is three years, with an extension of two further years possible with the approval of the Academic Board. No further renewals are permitted.

Location: Candidates will be UK-based and able to attend in-person meetings.

UK - London