ABSTRACT
Sir Ron Dearing's report listed a number of issues that gave rise to concerns that there might be considerable variability in the standards of degree courses in the United Kingdom (UK). The Dearing Report thus proposed the extension of the conventional functions of external examiners to include verification of: the attainment of academic standards by the development of threshold standards using benchmarking statements; programme objectives, as defined by individual institutions. A major requirement for any benchmarking statement is that it is easy to understand, unambiguous and straightforward in its application. The Quality Assurance Agency decided that chemistry, history and law were to be the first three discipline areas to investigate and produce benchmarking information on subject threshold standards. The Chemistry Benchmarking Group expended considerable time and thought in producing a benchmarking statement for a single-subject honours degree. Accountability and competition is essential that public funding is properly accounted for and fully and thoroughly audited.
