The report outlines the revised UK Quality Code for Higher Education which replaces the previous section on external examining in the QAA Code of Practice. The Code has been developed with the aim of improving the consistency of external examining and providing greater transparency for students. A total of 18 indicators have been introduced, 10 of which are addressed under current University procedures.

The QAA's publication of Chapter B7 on External Examining is part of the wider development of the new Quality Code which will replace the QAA's existing set of national reference points in their Academic Infrastructure (including the Code of Practice) from 2012-13 onwards. The development schedule for the new Quality Code and the mapping of previous material to the new Code is available on the QAA website as follows:

Development Schedule: www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/quality-code/Pages/schedule.aspx

Mapping: www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/Mapping-Quality-Code.pdf

Members are asked to comment on the Indicators listed under Item 2:

Indicators 6, 8, 11, 14, 15.

Members are asked to note the remaining Indicators 5, 13 and 18.

Senate Office, Schools and Research Institutes.

None.

Implementation of the new Indicators by Session 2012-13.

None.