Marking Reminders are given to staff at the beginning of Assessment periods about current university and departmental policies on marking. Second and Third Year assessments are all subject to double consideration. Markers come together to discuss discrepancies and identify an agreed mark. The external examiners have the opportunity to see all assessed work and follow university regulations about recommending changes to marks. At Masters level, essays and dissertations are double-marked and follow the same principle as above for resolving differences.
Dissertations are double-marked in the department and also by the external examiners.
The broad criteria for marking are set out on the Marking Sheets, samples of which are included in the BA and MA Handbooks respectively. Course Review and Planning Annual reviews of course units take place after the responses to student evaluation questionnaires have been collated. Major proposals also go to Staff-Student Liaison Committee, which is the main forum in which the student body is consulted about the types and balance of assessment. Minor course revisions may be handled within Teaching Teams. In both cases, current and previous Teaching Assistants should also be involved as far as possible .