The University of Northampton is seeking a new External Examiner for the BA Illustration course following the unexpected resignation of the current examiner due to personal circumstances.
BA Illustration is part of the Art and Design department within the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology. As part of a recent faculty restructure, the course has been redesigned to share approximately 50% of its content with a newly revised BA Graphic Design programme. This change aims to offer a more integrated and holistic learning experience in visual communication.
While BA Illustration will remain a distinct degree, it will share selected modules with BA Graphic Design from September 2025 onwards. We are currently in the process of teaching out the remaining two years of the existing programme while preparing to launch the new version in September 2025. For the first year of delivery, the first year of the new version of BA Illustration will require External Examiner oversight. Year’s 2 and 3 of the old version of the course will require External Examiner oversight as the new course is phased in.
We are looking for someone:
· who is suitably qualified with expertise in Illustration, ideally a Programme Leader or Senior Lecturer on similar courses.
· previous experience as an external examiner is strongly preferred.
· Knowledge of merged courses would be desirable, especially between illustration and graphic design.
The appointment will be for the four academic years but due to the need for a new external examiner this semester, with an immediate start if possible.
Please note that we cannot currently accept applications from staff at the following institutions:
· Kingston University London
· York St John University
· Manchester Metropolitan University
· Nottingham Trent University
· University of Lincoln
· Leeds Art University
· University of Dundee
· University of Gloucestershire
· Birmingham City University
· Norwich University of the Arts
The University of Northampton will not appoint an External Examiner from any of our approved partnerships. This information will be checked upon application.
Closing date: 30 June 2025
If you are interested in applying for this role (or to request further information), please send a recent CV to Louise Bird, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Illustration and copy to Alexis Taylor, Head of Art and Design louise.bird@northampton.ac.uk, Alexis.Taylor@northampton.ac.uk
If you are unsuccessful in your application, we will destroy your application and CV after 1 month of the advert closing. If you are successful, your application and CV will be retained securely for 5 years, one year after the end of the 4-year contract.
The University of Northampton is committed to creating a learning experience that celebrates equality and harnesses the power of diversity as exemplified by the rich social and ethnic backgrounds of our student body. We encourage applications from colleagues from diverse backgrounds to ensure that external scrutiny continues to challenge and inspire us.