Open-access content
22nd September 2015
Indpendent examiners: who they are and what they do?
The IFoA's independent examiners are professional development and responsibility volunteers (PDRs). Coming from both professional and academic backgrounds, they are at the heart of the IFoA's Accredited Programme process.
What is the Accredited Programme process?
The principle of students claiming exemptions against individual degree programmes has been in place for many years. Accreditation was put in place to account for the volume of exemption requests coming in from students studying the same degrees at the same universities. It ensures that accredited degree programmes meet the same criteria as the IFoA exams and students meet our requirements.
Following the Morris Review, the IFoA acknowledged there were alternative routes to reach qualification. We broadened the scope of accreditation with a requirement on universities to include innovative aspects to actuarial science, in addition to covering the majority of the IFoA syllabus. This gave universities greater scope to develop programmes that not only offered exemptions but also attracted a wider variety of students.
What is the role of the independent examiner?
Independent examiners (IEs) ensure that accredited programmes are delivering content, and setting exams, at an appropriate level for students to claim exemptions.
Working closely with our university partners, IEs are involved all the way through from initial programme design to final recommendations for student exemptions.
At the end of each academic year, the IEs send in a summary report which, combined with an annual meeting of all IEs, will help the IFoA advise universities on the best way forward for their programmes and students. If you are interested in becoming an IE, please contact [email protected]
What is the Accredited Programme process?
The principle of students claiming exemptions against individual degree programmes has been in place for many years. Accreditation was put in place to account for the volume of exemption requests coming in from students studying the same degrees at the same universities. It ensures that accredited degree programmes meet the same criteria as the IFoA exams and students meet our requirements.
Following the Morris Review, the IFoA acknowledged there were alternative routes to reach qualification. We broadened the scope of accreditation with a requirement on universities to include innovative aspects to actuarial science, in addition to covering the majority of the IFoA syllabus. This gave universities greater scope to develop programmes that not only offered exemptions but also attracted a wider variety of students.
What is the role of the independent examiner?
Independent examiners (IEs) ensure that accredited programmes are delivering content, and setting exams, at an appropriate level for students to claim exemptions.
Working closely with our university partners, IEs are involved all the way through from initial programme design to final recommendations for student exemptions.
At the end of each academic year, the IEs send in a summary report which, combined with an annual meeting of all IEs, will help the IFoA advise universities on the best way forward for their programmes and students. If you are interested in becoming an IE, please contact [email protected]
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