External Examiners Scheme of Fees
Our Scheme of Fees is in line with the mandatory HMRC requirement for payments to reflect hourly rates and the number of hours undertaken to complete the work. As a Living Wage Employer, the University’s Scheme of Fees ensures that all External Examiners are paid in line with the rate determined by the Living Wage Foundation which exceeds the National Living Wage rate.
From 1 May 2026, all External Examiners’ payments will be based on the following standard annual fees, paid on production of their annual report(s):
| Category | Annual Fee (£) |
|---|---|
| Programme area responsibility* | 565.13 |
| Additional programme responsibility at a different level* | 508.60 |
* Includes all modules, related programmes, named pathways, number of intakes, sites of delivery and intermediate terminating qualifications
The annual fee has been based on nominal time allocations defined below for each area of responsibility/activity that reflect £56.51 per half day (3 hours 45 minutes) and £113.03 per full day (7 hours 30 minutes). The hourly rate used for the calculations is £13.45 plus £1.62 holiday pay giving a total per hour of £15.07.
- Annual Reports – paid £113.03 based upon one full day (7 hours 30 minutes) which includes all preparatory work and associated activities.
- Moderation of sample of assessed work – paid £226.05 based upon two full days (15 hours). This may include observation of live performances, observed structured clinical examinations, teaching practice, etc. (where appropriate).
- Verification of draft assessment briefs/exam scripts - paid £56.51 based upon half a day (3 hours 45 minutes) which includes monitoring the suitability of marking criteria, marking schemes and model answers as applicable.
- Assessment Boards - paid £56.51 based upon half a day’s (3 hours 45 minutes) attendance at Assessment Boards. Additional payments will be made if attendance at Assessment Boards exceeds half a day.
- Other Associated Responsibilities – paid up to £56.51 based upon half a day (3 hours 45 minutes) to cover additional duties including the provision of advice on programme and/or modules, content coherence, currency, balance and structure; the provision of written comments on changes to programmes and programme/module mappings for new and revised articulation arrangements.
In addition, external examiners are paid to undertake an annual training event during each year of appointment:
- Annual training event – paid £56.51 based upon half a day’s (3 hours 45 minutes) attendance at the External Examiner’s briefing event each year. The briefing session takes place online.
The table below shows the calculation of the annual fee for an external examiner based upon the above activities:
| Activity | Number of days | Number of decimal hours | Total (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1.0 | 7.50 | 113.03 |
| Moderation | 2.0 | 15.00 | 225.05 |
| Verification | 0.5 | 3.75 | 56.51 |
| Attendance at board | 0.5 | 3.75 | 56.51 |
| Other Associated Responsibilities | 0.5 | 3.75 | 56.51 |
| Induction/annual reporting | 0.5 | 3.75 | 56.51 |
| Total | 5.0 | 37.50 | 565.13 |
Additional payments
Alongside attending assessment boards, external examiners may claim additional payments for attending the following activities:
- meetings with students
- student practical presentations (e.g. performances, clinical assessments, etc).
These additional payments will be made on an hourly rate basis that reflects the duration of the meeting.
Any claims that exceed the time allocated for any of the activities will not be accepted without prior approval. Travelling time to and from the University may not be claimed.
Email externalexaminers@salford.ac.uk for earlier versions of this document.