External Examiner for BA (Hons) Architecture Undergraduate Programme

External Examiner for BA (Hons) Architecture Undergraduate Programme

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at Heriot-Watt University Dubai is currently inviting applications for an External Examiner position in their undergraduate architecture programme (RIBA Part 1). The position is for three years starting from the current 2425 Academic year.   

About Heriot-Watt University:

Heriot-Watt University has five global campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of computer sciences, engineering, design, business and the built environment. 

With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for business and industry. We connect with industry at every level and develop programmes to match their needs – so employers get work-ready industry-fit graduates. 

We have an established set of values that help us to nurture innovation and leadership and show our commitment to continuous improvement and development in all our activities.

Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus was first established in 2005. Home to over 4,000 students and over 250 staff, it is the largest and most successful international campus in Dubai and has received a 5-star rating from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) repeatedly and is now CAA Licensed.

About BA(Hons) Architecture Programme

The BA (Hons) Architecture programme at the Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus was launched in 2015. Since then, the programme has rapidly grown to a community of more than 100 students, creating a unique niche within the vibrant design community of Dubai and the UAE. Strategically placed within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS), the programme draws expertise from multiple disciplines associated with the built environment. 

The programme aims to educate students in addressing current challenges faced worldwide, including climate change, resource depletion, sustainability and energy efficiency. Students will work on authoring projects to create a positive impact through diverse design practices and innovative solutions that resonate with the industry during their undergraduate studies.

More information about the programme and course content can be found here.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:

• Ensure that the standard of the degree is consistent with those awarded across the UK university system in the architecture discipline.
• Review and comment on the assessments for each module for which they are responsible, the extent to which the assessments cover the syllabus, and whether they enable candidates to demonstrate their achievement of the learning outcomes.
• Review if the standard of marking is satisfactory by scrutinising a sample of scripts for each module and, if necessary, a sample of coursework.
• Review and comment on the standards of achievements of candidates and the comparability of this achievement to standards elsewhere.
• Review and comment on the standards of proposed awards and their comparability to similar awards elsewhere.
• To make known any causes for concern in relation to academic standards achieved by candidates, the standards of modules, and the standards of awards to be made, should such cause arise.
• Advise the Subject Examination Board on appropriate action where the marks for any module are significantly outside the normal pattern.
• Attend meetings of the Subject Examination Board, and participate fully in decision making.
• Endorse results and progression decisions, and recommendations for award, by signing the relevant documentation.
• Attend meetings of the Degree Examination Board, where they choose.
• Submit an External Examiner report annually.
• Perform any other duties requested by the Academic Board or the Degree Examination Board, following appropriate consultation over the nature of those duties.

A detailed guideline on External Examiner's roles and responsibilities is available on our university website here.

Education, Qualifications and Experience 

Essential:

• A postgraduate degree in Architecture (RIBA and/or ARB or NAAB or internationally accredited)
• In-depth knowledge of the architecture discipline, including relevant academic and professional experience 
• An understanding of the RIBA educational framework and experience teaching on an RIBA-validated course OR international equivalent.
• A full-time teaching faculty member of an accredited university outside of UAE.

Other requirements

• The external examiner review of the undergraduate architecture programme is annually carried out in the month of May at the Heriot Watt University’s Dubai Campus. The appointed external examiner should be available to attend the on campus three-day review. 
• The external examiner is required to work jointly with the second appointed external examiner during the annual review of the programme.
• The external examiner should be available to attend meetings with the RIBA Part 1 re-validation panel due in the academic year of 2025-2026.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit applications with a Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post and a fully up to date CV.

Applicants must ensure the Right to work documents listed above are available and ready at the time of application.

Please note that once the positions are filled, applications will be kept on file and reviewed as the need emerges.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. 

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University Dubai is (Commission for Academic Accreditation) CAA Licensed; therefore, successful candidates will need to either provide terminal degrees attested from a UAE institution accredited by the CAA or if the degree is not from a UAE Institution, the candidate will need to have MoE (Ministry of Education) Equivalency. More info on attestation can be found here on the MoE website. The candidate is responsible for getting their degree attestations done.