Support for geographical learning

Subject resources

• QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography
  A description of the nature and characteristics of programmes in geography, and general expectations about standards for the award of qualifications in terms of the attributes and capabilities demonstrated.
• SEEC credit level descriptors for Higher Education
  Credit level descriptors define the level of complexity, relative demand and autonomy expected of a learner on completion of a module or programme of learning, providing a description of levels of learning through a hierarchy of knowledge and skills.
• Unistats website
  A comparison of official course data for undergraduate course by university.

• Thornes, JE 2012 External examiners and the continuing inflation of UK undergraduate geography degree results. Area 44:2, pp178-185
  • Richards K 2012 Comment on 'External examiners and the continuing inflation of UK undergraduate geography degree results' Area 44:3 pp379–81
  • Thornes JE 2012 2.2 good to be true? Reply to Keith Richards Area 44:3 pp382-383
• France D and Fletcher S 2004 The motivations and professional development needs of aspiring and serving external examiners in the GEES disciplines. Planet No. 13

Email and discussion lists

• Geography external examiners list on Jiscmail
  A mailing list for those interested in external examining in geography to share opportunities, contribute to discussions and ask questions.
• External examiners list on Jiscmail
  A mailing list for individuals and institutions to share opportunities for external examiners, validation panels and other roles [note: covers all disciplines and mainly used by quality professionals].

The role of the external examiner

• QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education - Chapter B7: External examining
  This chapter of the QAA's Quality Code helps ensure that external examining can operate in a way which is transparent, rigorous, and as consistent as possible across all UK higher education institutions, taking into account institutions' autonomy and differences in their mission, size, organisational structures and range of provision.
  You can also read the full Quality UK Code for Higher Education, which contains chapters on academic standards, benchmarking, learning and teaching, and assessment
• Higher Education Academy external examining handbook (PDF)
  The outcomes from HEA research and development work on external examining to provide guidance, advice and general information in this area.
• HEA resources on external examining: a list of useful links and information for those working as, or aspiring to be, external examiners, including guidance from a range of disciplines
• Staff and Educational Development Association: External Examining
  A professional development opportunity for new or aspiring external examiners.

Individual university websites also usually provide detailed information about the process of external examining for their institutions and the expectations of external examiners.