From High Flying Cabin Crew to Talented Care Worker

Exeter College prides itself on teaching students’ valuable transferable skills, equipping them with the knowledge needed to succeed in the world of work. Ceren Duman is a prime example of this. When Travel and Tourism was hit hard by the pandemic, she picked herself up and decided that she could help people in a different way and went into Health and Social Care. It wasn’t long before she got noticed and Proud to Care Devon picked her for their current recruitment campaign.

While at Exeter College Ceren studied Level 2 Travel and Tourism and took a Diploma in Airline Cabin Crew. “Cabin Crew was my dream job. It was amazing going out to the Flybe Training Academy, then lockdown came, and it all changed. I would 100% do the course again if I could, I loved it. College was just amazing.”

Ceren has now been working in domiciliary care for Proud to Care Devon, looking after people in their homes, for about two months and says the more she does it, the more confident she’s getting. “I was quite frightened at first. As Cabin Crew you see your customer maybe once in your lifetime, but with caring you see them every day. It was daunting at first but the customer service skills I learnt on my course at college taught me how to deal with different people in different situations, so I work well under pressure.”

“I would 100% do the course again if I could, I loved it. College was just amazing.”
Ceren Duman, former Exeter College student

Proud to Care Devon is the single brand for health and care throughout Devon, managed by Devon County Council. Kelly Heale is a Recruitment Officer and Proud to Care Ambassador. Speaking about Ceren, she said: “Ceren was just a yes straight away. She had that experience of looking after others within her own family. I know from my own experience the training that Cabin Crew go through. Looking after people at 20,000 feet isn’t easy, I knew she could apply those transferable skills.”

Now Ceren has been chosen to support Proud to Care Devon in recruiting for a vital sector and it’s easy to understand why. “She’s just a great role model for people in her age group and for our sector. I hope that students will be able to identify with her and consider applying their skills to our sector. She has taken to the role so naturally, I’m not going to let her go, she’s grounded forever!”

One of Ceren’s tutors at college, Kelly Dighton isn’t surprised by Cerens success. “Ceren always loved to help people which is why she wanted to be cabin crew – when I heard she had applied for a role in the care sector, I was delighted for her as the role would allow her to use her skills and show others her kind and compassionate nature.”

“She’s just a great role model for people in her age group and for our sector.”
Kelly Heale – Proud to Care Devon

The skills learnt on the Travel and Tourism courses at Exeter College are invaluable and transferable. Kelly goes on to explain: “All students leave us having gained practical work experience and preparation for the world of work. They cover units in customer service and elements of business which link well with jobs in retail and hospitality as well as tourism, leisure, and the care sector. Our cabin crew students cover first aid, dealing with emergencies, and working with diverse customers from differing backgrounds.”

We wish Ceren every success in her current career and hope she gets to fly again soon!

Travel and Tourism at Exeter College

Our travel and tourism courses offer amazing opportunities for students with a passion for travel and tourism but also those who enjoy working with people. They provide a solid foundation in numerous transferable skills including customer service, business basics, geography, employment, transport, and types of tourism which students can use locally, nationally, and globally. Alongside this, our specialist options include cabin crew courses, resort representative and event planning modules. They provide a springboard for higher education as well as a route into the travel and tourism industry and other similar sectors.

Find out more

You can find out more about all the courses on offer at Exeter College by contacting our College Advice Team.

Ready to apply?

Applications are now open. They are easy to do and can be done online.

Exeter College and University of Exeter partner on a new validated Degree Apprenticeship in Data Science

From September 2021, apprentices studying the Level 6 Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship at Exeter College will be able to gain a University of Exeter undergraduate degree in Data Science.

The course will cover subjects such as statistics, databases, Big Data, data visualisation and machine learning. It has been developed by listening to the needs of employers in the region, and creating a progression route for learners, in areas where skills are in high demand across many sectors in the South West. This includes health, marketing, tourism and manufacturing.

Apprentices currently studying Exeter College’s Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship will be able to progress onto this new Level 6 course, along with new apprentices. All learners will then have the chance to move onto the University of Exeter’s Level 7 Research Science / MSc Data Science (Professional) degree. This allows a clear progression pathway from Level 4 to Levels 6 and 7.

Janice Kay, Provost of the University of Exeter said: “Supporting the city’s ambitions to develop the skills and capabilities of individuals to work with, analyse and interpret data and make Exeter a world-leading analytics city is a critical part of the University of Exeter’s own ambitions and our collaboration with the South West Institute of Technology.

“The educational journey is best viewed as a pathway from school through to Further Education and University, and this is what our partnership with Exeter College lays the foundations for.

“Growing numbers of learners on apprenticeships and creating opportunities to work with businesses regionally in the South West and nationally provides a sustainable and cost-effective way for employers to develop and retain a talented workforce. We warmly welcome any approach from local and regional businesses to support their skills and workforce needs.”

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Exeter College said: “This new programme clearly allows those with the ambition to progress seamlessly from level 4 to a level 7 qualification whilst gaining valuable workplace skills throughout. This pathway would have been unachievable anywhere until a few years ago and I’m delighted, like with so many initiatives linked to apprenticeships, the city of Exeter and its partnerships are leading the way for businesses and employees alike.

“The Government recognises apprenticeships as one of the cornerstones of our economic recovery from the pandemic. Over the last three years Exeter College has grown its offer in this important sector from half a dozen students to an offer that is now national and works with employers such as EDF and South West Ambulance Service. This cross city link will support our employers to meet their aims of becoming leading exponents in the use of data”.

The collaboration between the University of Exeter and the Exeter College has come about through the South West Institute of Technology (SWIoT) partnership, which has provided a forum to examine progression pathways and create new opportunities for curriculum development.

SWIoT is a Government-funded initiative, set up to provide learners with access to the latest industry skills and technical knowledge, through a series of new state-of-the-art facilities being built across the region. This will enable the South West to be one of the world’s leading regions for digital, engineering and manufacturing technologies. SWIoT is part of a national network of Institute of Technologies.

Steve Mariadas, Chief Executive of SWIoT, said: “As a leading region in the UK for data science, the launch of our Data Science Degree Apprenticeship marks a significant milestone in our ambition to offer skills in data to everyone at any level. The collaboration between Exeter College, the University of Exeter and dozens of regional employers is a fantastic example of how our regional partnerships can deliver the technical skills we need in the South West. It’s an achievement that will undoubtedly be used as an example across the country.”

Apprenticeships offer businesses a solution to address a need for more expertise or knowledge, and enable employees to upskill in areas with a skills shortage. The apprenticeship provides the knowledge and insight, which is then directly and immediately transferable into the work place.

If you would like to find out more about what Data can do for your business and how an apprenticeship works, SWIoT is holding an online event with experts, business leaders and current apprentices. You can sign up to this online.

The below infographics, produced from research by the SWIoT, show the range of benefits working with data can bring to a business and the skills and knowledge employers think are useful for working with data:

Exeter College tops the FE leader board for participation in Global Goals Teach In

Exeter College recently took part in a two-week project, Global Goals Teach In, to encourage students and staff to pledge their support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the global aspiration to reduce CO2 by 2030.

The project was delivered as part of the college’s Personal Development Programme (PDP). Students had an opportunity to pledge their support for the SDGs and to sign up to become a Green Ambassador.

The SDG Teach In is a campaign to put the Global Goals for Sustainable Development at the heart of education and catalyse the change needed to make this happen. The Teach In called upon educators across all stages of education to pledge to include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their teaching, learning, and assessment on their course during the campaign period.

Exeter College is delighted that on completion of the Global Goals Teach In project they were the FE sector winners, as one of only a few FE Colleges (alongside Universities) to participate in this global event.

Mike Loomes, Exeter College’s Health, Safety and Environment Advisor, who reports to the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education (EAUC) said: “As part of our membership with the EAUC we are committed to engage and support our students to be leaders for sustainability within the FE sector and will be submitting our findings to the EAUC Leadership Scorecard in 2022. This is a cross college initiative which informs all our people, processes and future aspirations to leave a more beautiful world behind for those who follow after us.”

Exeter College looks forward to sharing further successes as they aspire to have some representation at the Cop26 Event in Glasgow in November.

Exeter College students dance their way into top Conservatoires

The recent pandemic has shown that a whole generation of students can adapt and excel, even in extreme circumstances.

For vocational subjects, it has perhaps been an even bigger challenge. Yet dance students at Exeter College have taken this as an opportunity to not only hone their dance technique but to learn new skills such as filming and editing. This has enabled them to virtually audition for some of the country’s most prestigious University and Conservatoire Dance courses.

Current students have been given a range of conditional and unconditional offers at institutions such as Bird College, Trinity Laban, Addict Academy, Wilkes Academy, London Studio Centre, London Contemporary Dance School and UEL, Middlesex, Falmouth, Chichester, De Montfort, Greater Brighton Metropolitan and Kingston Universities.

“We are incredibly proud of our dance students who have been so disciplined and driven whilst in lockdown, working hard to continue with their creative and technical development.”
Catherine Lee – Programme Leader for Dance

Sam Spurling, a student studying on the UAL (University of the Arts London) Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts (Dance) will be progressing to Falmouth University to study Dance and Choreography and hopes to move into Choreography and Film Production. She talked to us about being back at College after studying at home for so long.

“It’s really nice. I love jumping and just going from one end of the room to the other, you can do that here and really feel like you’re flying. We just get on so well as a group and we have a laugh and have fun and it’s so good to be back together again.”

Programme Leader for Dance, Catherine Lee said: “We are incredibly proud of our dance students who have been so disciplined and driven whilst in lockdown, working hard to continue with their creative and technical development.

“As lecturers we continued to challenge them by introducing them to filming dance on location, as well as how current dance professionals are surviving in a global pandemic. We were delighted with how they embraced this medium, producing some high-quality pieces of work and attending live stream workshops by dance artists and choreographers they had discovered through their research.”

Emma Wyke, Programme Leader in Dance added: “Our students fully immersed themselves in the dance industry and how it has been affected by the pandemic. This awareness has undoubtedly helped prepare and equip them for their own futures in the creative arts, at a time when the survival of the arts in education and as an industry, is at a turning point.”

These students will be joining other Exeter College alumni who are working for National Dance Companies, Theatres and Agencies across the UK and in Europe.

If you are interested in studying dance with us, then register for our next virtual open event on Tuesday 20^th April.

Search our School Leavers course pages to find out more about the Dance courses on offer.

Read more about the Dance Studio on the facilities pages.

Start your career in Digital – Adult Learners

We’re excited to be offering a range of innovative programmes that allow adult learners (18+) the opportunity to retrain – for free – in digital.

We’re offering three part-time digital courses that allow you to gain skills and build a portfolio to support you to start a career in digital. You’ll also be guaranteed an interview for a genuine job in your chosen sector when you finish.

The courses will run over 12 weeks and are funded in full by the Government. You can pick from Business Data Analytics, Digital Marketing  and  Software Development.

Free courses – fully funded by the government
Practical training – a focus on gaining the skills required to get a job in the digital industry
Job interview ready – on completion of the course, you will be able to attend a job interview for a genuine vacancy in the industry.

The courses start in Spring 2021 and are part time, consisting of a day a week learning with our specialist lecturers.

Applying online for these courses is easy. Simply fill out your details, including which pathway you’re most interested in, and we’ll take it from there.  

Need help with deciding on your pathway or have any more questions? Contact our expert Adult Learning Advisers on AdultAdvice@exe-coll.ac.uk.

To find out more about what we can offer you as an adult learner, why not explore our Virtual Exeter College Experience? Join us for our next Live Event.

Coronavirus guidance

This page was last updated on 21.2.2022 and is regularly checked and updated. The date at the top of the page denotes the date the page was created, not the date of the content within it.

We constantly review the national guidance so that everyone at Exeter College remains safe whilst learners access their education. If there are any changes we will update this page, to ensure all of the latest information is kept in one place.

Learners have been contacted about Covid-testing directly via email. Any concerns should be reported to the learner’s tutor in the first instance.

Face coverings are optional

Wearing a face mask is now optional for all learners on college premises.

Should the guidance change, we will let you know in an email update and change the signs around our sites.

Expectations at College

There are four key rules for anyone attending the College in order to keep everyone safe.

1. Stay home if you are unwell.

If you are feeling unwell and presenting any symptoms of Coronavirus you should stay at home. This means if you have a high temperature, a continuous cough or a change in your sense of smell or taste, you should not attend the College. If you start to feel unwell during the day you should inform a member of staff immediately and we will ensure you get home safely.

2. Wash your hands often.

This means washing your hands much more often than you ordinarily would. This should include washing your hands when you arrive to College, before eating, after going to the toilet and as you leave the College. You should also try to wash your hands before touching your face.

3. Facemasks are optional on college premises.

4. Give staff, adults and vulnerable people space.

Give staff, adults and vulnerable people space. Be especially cautious when near those who are wearing yellow and black lanyards to indicate they’re especially vulnerable. You should respect their space and ensure not to get close to them under any circumstances.

In line with the Department for Education guidance, we expect all learners to attend unless they are self-isolating due to Covid or are otherwise unwell.

As is always the case, we want all students to feel safe, secure and excited about studying with Exeter College.

5 Days to Wellbeing

As our learners prepare for half term (from 15th February), we wanted to share some wellbeing support that can help you look after yourself while there’s a break in your online learning.

As a 16-18 learner with us, you will have been receiving a weekly Online Wellbeing and Support newsletter, in which we introduce you to content intended to help you through home learning. Don’t forget you can access all this information through the dedicated Student Hub page.

“Evidence suggests there are five steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.”
NHS

With this in mind, we wanted to share our take on this with some suggestions as to how you can stay healthy and happy this half term.

Connect

Staying connected with friends and family is important for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Drop a message to a relative you haven’t seen for a while, arrange a video chat with a friend – nurturing your relationships can make you feel happier.

Take Notice

Take the time to be more aware of the world around you and more observant of your own thoughts and feelings. Taking notice of the present moment will enhance self-understanding and appreciation of your environment.

Keep Learning

Continued learning will boost your self-esteem and open up new opportunities. Bake a cake, research something you’ve always wondered about, have a go at sketching…

Be Active

Regular physical activity is not only essential for good physical health but is also key in supporting good mental wellbeing. Go for a walk, practice yoga, dance around your living room – find what works for you and get moving!

Give

Giving to others through participation in social and community life will increase your own wellbeing. Reach out with small acts of kindness and support, such as sharing news of a good learning resource or doing a chore for someone else.

Join in with the conversation by staying in touch with us online.

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Don’t forget to reach out to the Student Experience team if you need to, we are here to help. You can call them on 01392 400449 or email studentexperience@exe-coll.ac.uk.

Take your next step with our higher education guide

We believe in doing our degrees in a different way for you. If you’re ready to take the next step on your education journey then request a copy of our Higher Education Prospectus now.

Inside our Higher Education Prospectus you will find information on our degree and higher level programmes, along with how to apply, entry requirements, fees and funding and help in deciding which level is right for you.

Why Exeter College?

Supportive, caring, and outstanding teaching
Smaller class sizes
Take your pick of degrees
Practical degrees with a focus on future employment
We put your future first

Read more about this on our Why Study With Us page.

We offer our Higher Education students the complete graduation experience. With a grand procession through the city centre, culminating in a ceremony in Exeter Cathedral (when restrictions allow), there’s no better way to celebrate your achievements.

In 2017, Exeter College was awarded the ‘Gold’ standard for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students studying University Level programmes. The coveted gold award highlights that Exeter College is among the best in the country for teaching and employment outcomes.

Not quite ready for a degree?

Don’t worry, we also offer a wide range of Access to Higher Education Diplomas. These are a well established and a very successful route into university level study. They are aimed at adult students who may lack formal entry qualifications, who wish to pursue a change of career and/or need to develop confidence and practice in their study skills. Read more in our Access Guide. Some learners can even study for their Access course for free, speak to our specialist Adult Advisers to find out if you’re eligible.

Don’t forget we also do Higher Level Professional Courses and Higher Apprenticeships.

If you would like to know more about our Higher Education programmes then register now for our Showcase event where you can find out more about everything we offer.

If you would like advice on which programme is right for you, please contact one of our Adult Advisers on 01392 400170 or email: adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk

Request a copy of our Higher Education Prospectus now.

Record numbers of Exeter College students invited for Oxbridge interviews

An all-time record number of Exeter College students have been invited for admissions interviews with the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

A grand total of 42 students have been invited to interview at the world renowned universities, eclipsing the College’s previous record number of 34 invited to interview in 2017.

Students have been undertaking their virtual interviews in the past few weeks and will learn about final offers made by the universities in January 2021.

Many students have been supported to make their applications by the College’s Reach Academy for academically gifted students. The Reach Academy encourages learners to aim high and provides group and one-to-one support for students hoping to join some of the most sought-after programmes of study in the country for higher education.

Exeter College Lecturer Martin Gilbert, who leads the Reach Academy, said, “I’m really proud of all the students. To make an application to Oxbridge is a great challenge and one that our students have embraced fully.

“Although the students won’t currently get the chance to travel to Oxford and Cambridge for interviews in the way they normally would, making it to this stage is a great step on the journey to hopefully securing an offer to study with two of the world’s leading universities.”

The Exeter College Reach Academy helps students achieve their aspirations with workshops and application-boosting activities to support applications to leading universities and medical-based degree programmes. Students regularly hear advice directly from admissions teams and have the chance to develop and adapt their applications in line with the very latest advice and guidance.

For the previous academic year, a massive 70% of the College’s applicants to medical-based courses across the country secured offers of study, while 14 students received offers to study with the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.

Applications are open to join Exeter College in 2021.

Explore the Virtual Exeter College Experience now to get a flavour of what it’s like to study with us.

New dates added: Online Appointments with Our College Advisers

If you’re a Year 11 student considering joining us in September 2021, you can book one-to-one online advice sessions with our expert College Advice Team to help you discover everything you need to know about Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College.

In addition to the Virtual Exeter College Experience, which showcases the range of courses and facilities, you can now book online individual sessions to help you make decisions around study routes, courses or any other questions that are still on your mind!

During appointments, our expert College Advice Team can provide advice on the different types of courses that we offer at Exeter College and what might suit you. They can discuss extra-curricular opportunities and academies, as well as guide you through the application and interview process.

They can signpost you to other departments across the college where you can find more specific information about learning support, wellbeing, travel, and financial support.

These 30-minute appointments must be pre-booked and we will use Microsoft Teams to deliver these sessions.

If you would like to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for some individual advice and support, please click on the link below and fill out the booking form to secure your appointment.

A new date has been added on 19^th May (4.30-6.30pm)

Book your online appointment with the College Advice Team now.

If you just have a quick question, our School Leavers’ FAQs video below might have the answer. You can also reach the team by phone on 01392 400600 and leaving your details to request a call back, or by email to cat@exe-coll.ac.uk.