The responsibilities of the External Examiner are set out as per UKCP guidelines, the HIP College Learning Outcomes and against the Post Graduate marking Scale.
They include monitoring all aspects of the assessment process, documentation and the standard and consistency of marking across a number of markers in line with UKCP guidelines.
Functions of External Examiner
1. External Examiners monitor the academic level of the training which is set by UKCP at Masters level. Clear identification of what constitutes Masters level must be in place. The trainers and external examiners need to have access to information indicating the agreed standard against which the teaching, examining and trainees performance is being measured. This may involve the observation of teaching and supervision sessions.
2. External Examiners ensure the consistency of the marking of written and oral work. Their role is to assess the level of the groups and cohorts rather than that of individual students. They thus monitor the overall standards of work within the organization. They examine samples of students work and benchmark the academic standards. They evaluate whether the internal markers are awarding grades in a consistent and fair way, that they are clearly identifying the reasons for the marks awarded against the grade descriptions provided, and that there are clear distinctions between grade bands. There needs to be clear grade descriptors appropriate to Masters level (National Occupational Standards Level 7) against which the internal examiners and external examiners can set their marks.
3. The External Examiner monitors the final examination process. This may include samples of work, vivas and tapes (audio and visual) depending on the nature of the final assessment. They may also attend some oral examinations.
4. External Examiners may also review the practical assessments and comment on these in the same way as they do with the academic work.
5. The External Examiner makes a minimum of one annual visit to MIP followed by a brief report.
6. The External Examiner writes a report for the Quinquennial Review.
7. The External Examiner may become involved in the examination appeals process.
Criteria for External Examiners
In almost all circumstances the External Examiner will need to be a senior psychotherapist within a member organisation of the HIP College. If MIP were to choose an External Examiner who is not a psychotherapist from within the College, then MIP must show how the Examiner meets the requirements to perform the above roles. The minimum standard must be that they are:
• A senior psychotherapist
• Familiar with most, if not all, psychotherapy training
• Familiar with the HIPC criteria for membership
• Have an understanding of the specific model of psychotherapy practiced within the organisation
• Familiar with what constitutes MA level work which is the required standard for UKCP trainings.
The assessments of MIP which will need externally assessing are as follows:
* Essays : Two 2,000 word essays per year – first year, second year and third year.
* Placement reports: up to 1,000 words for each client seen.
* Research project: 8,000 words to be completed by 1st April of the fourth year.
* Case Study: 5,000 words study of a client seen for up to 50 client hours, to be submitted by 1st April of the fourth year.
* Following completion of the fourth year, in order to gain UKCP accreditation the graduate will complete a 10,000 words case study and an evaluation of a 20 minutes recording of their clinical work.
* The assessment board process requires the graduate to present the training portfolio, the 10,000 words case study and the 20 minutes recording of their clinical work. This will be presented to four Accreditation Board members who will make the assessment.
Revised September 2019 –
(to be reviewed again at the next committee meeting)
