External Examiners appointment policy
- The College is required by the BAAB to have two external examiners from different institutions. The external examiners appointed cannot have had any previous relationship with CICM (e.g. graduate or staff member). The external examiners will normally be from another acupuncture College/course or have taught on an acupuncture course.
Previous external examiners:
Geoff Wadlow (formerly of the London School of Acupuncture)
Pauline Giesberts (ICOM)
Richard Blackwell (Northern College, York)
Celia Tudor-Evans (CTA)
Dr Chris Low (LCTA)
Katie Scampton (Westminster)
Sam Patel (ICOM)
2. External Examiners normally serve for a period of 3 years although this can be extended by one year.
3. Kingston appoints the external examiners on CICM’s recommendation.
4. Kingston pays the external examiner an honorarium plus travelling expenses.
5. External examiners attend all Module and Programme Boards.
6. External examiners submit one report per year, usually after the summer/September board. The reports are sent direct to Kingston and Kingston then forwards them to us. The course team drafts a response (which the Academic Director coordinates) and this is discussed at the November Board of Studies before being finalised and sent to the external examiners by Kingston.
7. Responsibility for the course modules is divided between the two external examiners. In the past one has been responsible for Chinese Medicine and Research and Reflective Practice and the other for Professional Practice, CMS and Five Element Skills.
8. About 4-6 weeks in advance of a Module and Programme Board the external examiners are sent samples of student coursework (samples of written exam scripts are sent as soon as internal marking and moderation has been completed) relating to the upcoming Board. Samples must include all fails, the highest and lowest marks, samples of marks on grade boundaries and samples from within each grade.
In addition to the samples the following paperwork must be included for each piece of coursework:
Assignment specification
Marking grid and, where appropriate, model interpretation
Moderator’s report
General class feedback
Individual student feedback for the samples sent
A list of marks for the whole cohort.
In the case of written exams, the external examiner is sent the draft exam papers as soon as they are ready and once the exam has been marked and moderated samples are sent including all fails, the highest and lowest marks, samples of marks on grade boundaries and samples from within each grade. The following paperwork must be included:
Exam question paper(s)
Marking grid and, where appropriate, model interpretation
Moderator’s report
Individual moderator comments for the samples sent
A list of marks for the whole cohort.
9. New external examiners are inducted partly by Kingston and partly by CICM. The induction is either at Kingston with the Academic Director attending or the general induction is at Kingston and the subject-specific aspects of the process carried out at CICM with the Head of Life Sciences chairing the meeting. It is CICM’s responsibility to supply the following documentation:
Student Handbook
Field Specification
Module Descriptors
Module Guides
Dates for Module and Programme Boards
Please see document “Induction of external examiners” for details of documentation supplied by CICM and Kingston.
INDUCTION OF EXTERNAL EXAMINERS
Agenda for Faculty/School level Induction of External Examiners – 2016
- Review reports and responses to previous external examiner (to provide context) -KU
- Calendar of events – what will happen when and names of Faculty staff who will communicate with external examiner -CICM
- Pass contact details of mentor (nominated experienced examiner within team), if applicable -CICM/KU
- Ensure external examiner has received course documents – module outlines, assessment criteria, student handbooks course guides, programmes specifications (as appropriate) -CICM
- Pass copies of other information including Subject Benchmark Statement and any changes that are proposed for the next academic year -CICM
- Clarification of duties if more than one external examiner in the team -CICM
- Assessment boards (combined or separate) – part of examiner’s contract to attend assessment boards -CICM/KU
- Sample student work including whether it will be viewed in advance and when (does it need to be returned and how) or on the day -CICM
- Moderation process will including evidence of student feedback (including generic feedback if provided) -CICM
- Validated and/or franchised programmes/modules – if examiner visits partner, attend assessment board at partner/ details of KU liaison officer -CICM
- Involvement in setting of assessment, if any -CICM
- Examiner to keep Faculty/AQS informed of any changes to personal circumstances or any changes to email/address -KU
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"I love the teaching at CICM, it is varied, interesting and extremely inspiring and the teachers all have a wealth of experience to draw on.”
Keeley Farrington
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“CICM was suggested by an acupuncturist I know and recommended for its high-quality tuition and professional approach. I knew I wanted to explore a degree course and after my open day experience I knew it had to be CICM.”
Michelle Patrick
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"I recently joined CICM and there are so many things I love about the place. The teachers are genuinely helpful and want us to do well. The place has a calm, harmonic feel and studying has already had a tangible benefit to my lifestyle and health."
Erica Chen
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"I was an electrician before I started studying acupuncture. It might not seem like it but there are overlaps between them, you look at a circuit and work out where the problem is coming from and then rectify it. The difference is with acupuncture I’ll help people to get better!"
Jack Keeping
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"Since embarking on this course, I have been astounded every day by the passion that this subject has sparked in me. I realised very quickly that I was in the right place, doing the right thing. I can only describe it as finally finding my place in the universe and becoming part of something much bigger than myself."
Sally Connelly
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"I wanted to become an acupuncturist as I prefer to use natural remedies which are in line with my faith and cultural background. I have witnessed the profound effects treatment can have on patients. CICM has an excellent reputation and I love the whole package here, especially the staff and supportive teachers."
Bev Holder
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"I appreciated the integrated style of TCM and the five elements as being the most profound way to reach and help people. This was the best possible start to a long acupuncture career that I could possibly wish for."
Bethan Morgan
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"My years at CICM will always hold a special place in my mind. It was like entering Hogwarts. The subjects are mind-expanding, the teachers and tutors really passionate and always keen to answer questions and give guidance. It has transformed me as a person and changed the way I see people, emotions, relationships, disease and health."
Efthymios Fotenios
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The teachers are really supportive and make every effort to tailor how they teach to suit the different styles of students. I like to question things and look at things from different angles - and the teachers have always supported me by being there to answer things by email after class, recommend further reading, or even being there to support me when I set up a Chinese medicine society for the college.
Helen Reid
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The course covers a huge range of topics, angles and perspectives, and whilst so much of it is new, unfamiliar and challenging at times- especially the 'hands on practical aspects- I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing, or anywhere else I’d rather be doing it. CICM is a hub of connection, commitment and energy, and something I am honoured to be part of.
Ellie Farnfield
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All of my teachers are practicing therapists with a library of information and experience to reinforce their words and the lectures. I have gained a lot of insight into myself and I often find myself reflecting on what we learned in class and applying it to life. I am recommending the course to everyone I know!
Jacob Marley
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As I was in my late forties I was concerned that I was too old, however the Open Day dispelled any doubts that I had as the age range of students and staff spanned from 18 to 80. The beautiful building was a joy to explore and I felt immersed in the world of Chinese Medicine. It was a cocoon of learning in the heart of Reading and only ten minutes’ walk from the train station.
Samanthan Roderick
