Exeter College students have sent their lives in a new direction after completing their Access to Higher Education courses and gaining places at some of the best universities in the country. 

Despite a difficult year, a class of students have successfully been awarded places at the University of Bristol, King’s College London, University of Exeter and UWE.  

Access courses allow students to continue their further education without traditional qualifications and help those who have been out of education for some time. 

Will Ekins had been out of education for 10 years before he started Exeter College’s Access to Science (Physics and Maths) course.  

Even during the pandemic, Will described the workload as manageable and said contact was kept up between teachers and students. He said, “The teaching was really personal; it was easy to talk to our teachers.”  

“I would recommend Exeter College. It has been brilliant.”

Daniel Smith, Access to Science (Physics and Maths) student

Will is now going on to study Astrophysics at Foundation Level at Bristol before undertaking a full degree. 

Daniel Smith chose the Access to Science (Physics and Maths) course at Exeter College as a preferred option to A Levels. Working on a portfolio over the course of a year appealed to him more than end of year exams. He is now going on to study Radiography at UWE which is something he has always wanted to do. 

Daniel said, “I would recommend Exeter College. It has been brilliant. The teaching has been excellent with loads of support.” 

Hayden Fey also studied the Maths and Physics Access course. Achieving B, B, C in his A Levels meant he did not get into his first university choice, so having the extra Access qualification allowed him to get into the University of Bristol without re-doing his A Levels.  

As the Access course is based on coursework, Hayden saw it as a more progressive way of getting into university. Instead of doing two years of A Levels and his results resting on one exam at the end, he could complete the Access course in a single year. 

Hayden is predicted to get a Distinction and is hoping to go to the University of Bristol to study Aerospace Engineering.  

He said, “Exeter College helped me organise an Advanced Learner Loan to help me pay for the costs of my Access course up front and if I progress onto university that loan gets paid off – so I wouldn’t need to pay a penny!” 

If a student progresses to higher education or university following their Access course, this can mean that they do not have to pay back their loan. Advanced Learner Loans are for people aged 19+ and do not depend on income. 

You can find more information about financial support at Exeter College here.

Congratulations also to Hayden Scott for securing his place to study Physics at King’s College London, Tiernan Pammenter for Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol and Tyler Sluman for Engineering at the University of Exeter.  

If you are interested in progressing your education or changing careers, an Access to Higher Education course at Exeter College could be for you.