The Administration of University Examinations

This section of our website contains comprehensive information about the administration of examinations including publication of examination timetables and processing of examination results. The information we provide in advance of a specific examination session assists students in planning for the current and the following academic year.

Formal Written Examinations

Undergraduate and Postgraduate

The planning and administration of examinations is an all-year-round function which includes the production of departmental examination timetables for staff and students. Personal copies are produced for students following the finalising of departmental timetables. All information is published on-line and students are able to download their personal copy within a secure environment.

Examination periods within the academic year operate from October to December. First semester examinations are scheduled in January and second semester examinations over May and June. A number of postgraduate examinations are held in April and May and supplementary examinations in August and September.

• Approximately 1400 modules are scheduled - 600 in January - 800 in May and June
• On average 13,500 students take examinations over a 12-day period in each semester

Anonymous Examining

The administration of all formal written examinations is conducted by anonymous methods. Academic staff do not invigilate formal examinations. The University's invigilation team is made up of people with experience of invigilating in other educational institutions.

Students are allocated a unique 5-digit code number which is used with their seat number (referring to the relevant exam) for identification purposes on all examination stationery.

Invigilation lists are the responsibility of the Senior Invigilator only. Invigilation lists are printed in 3 part sets. The first and second copies include unique codes, seats and student names. The third copy excludes names. The top copy (containing student names) is returned to the Examinations Office.The second copy (containing names) is placed in a confidential envelope, sealed and returned to the Examinations Office. The Examination Liaison Officer associated with the School has responsibility for the collection and security of the lists while marking is in progress. The third copy (excluding names) is inserted with the scripts for the marker. Anonymity is broken as close to the examination board meeting as is administratively possible.

Past Examination Papers

Exam papers from 2003 onwards are available online via Queen's Online.