Assessment Boards

Assessment Boards are responsible for ensuring examinations and assessment procedures under their remit are carried out in accordance with College regulations and other regulations governing the programme.
Role of the Chair and terms of reference
The terms of reference and quoracy for both Assessment Sub-Boards and Assessment Boards can be found in The Academic Board and its assessment sub-structure.
The role of the Chair is to ensure that meetings are carried out in a fair and impartial way allowing each member to contribute to the discussions with a view to the Board arriving at a consensus on an issue. The Chair will play a key role in directing the business of the Board through the setting of the agenda.
Chair's action
The Chair is empowered to take action on behalf of the body of which s/he is Chair in any matter that is, in their opinion, either urgent or non-contentious. Action taken will be reported at the next meeting for confirmation. However, it is good practice that, where urgent matters can be identified in advance, the relevant Assessment Sub-board/ Assessment Board formally empowers the Chair to take action.
Double Chair’s action are not permiitted under any circumstances.
Quaracy requirements
Regulations note that the quorum for any meeting of an Assessment Board is:
- the Chair or Deputy Chair;
- half of the total voting membership (to include External Examiners for single-tier boards).
Regulations note that "the quorum for any meeting of an Assessment Sub-Board held to determine the final award recommendation is:
- the Chair or Deputy Chair;
- one half of the internal membership of the Board eligible to vote;
- an External Examiner.
At all other meetings of a Sub-Board, the quorum is:
- the Chair or Deputy Chair;
- one-third of the total voting membership.
The absence of an External Examiner will not render the meeting invalid.
Support for student examinations
The following examination pages provides guidance for students in relation to their examinations, including guidance for any students requiring special examination arrangements:
Examination of Research Degrees
In addition to the Regulations for research degrees, the following examination pages provides guidance on the examination of research degrees: