External Examiner A
The MSc in International Relations is an excellent degree programme, combining theoretical, practical and regional themes in meaningful ways. The courses offered are highly topical, well-organised, intellectually rigorous and at the cutting-edge of research in International Relations. I would also add that it serves as an excellent pathway to doctoral studies if the students wish to take forward their study of International Relations.
The design and delivery of the programme and the individual courses more than meets the standards set in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. I had the pleasure of going through a sample of student coursework across 5 different courses within the programme and I must say that their performance compares very favorably with and in some regards exceeds similar programmes that I am familiar with. This is in line with my highly positive assessment of the quality of teaching in this programme. So congratulations to everyone involved!
The assessment methods are suitable and well-aligned with the learning outcomes and well-administered overall. The sample of assignments I looked at included a range of marks including top and bottom marks and in-betweens. Overall, the marking and moderation process is very clear and robust and seems to work very well. Marking is generally fair and consistent across the programme. The feedback is detailed and constructively articulated in most cases.
The process of determining results during internal and external exam boards is rigorous and taken seriously. Like all programmes elsewhere, there are slight variations in the quality of marking, moderation and feedback across and within courses, but this does not take much away from the overall excellent quality of the programme.
I must all add that the administration of External Examination and the organisation of the Exam Board was highly effective and largely pain-free even for this new External Examiner. Thank you!
External examiner B
This programme is clearly giving students opportunities to engage with cutting-edge research in International Relations, and to emulate this within their own coursework. I was especially impressed with the courses on Conflict and Peacebuilding; and Gendered/ing International Politics.
Most of the courses that I moderated have modes of assessment that either allow students to go deep into their own research project and/or give students the chance to submit lower-stakes assessment(s) during the course, to help them to gear up for a higher-weighted assessment at the end. These are good practices that students should look out for when choosing what to study.