How the Virtual Exeter College Experience Works for you

College Open Events have gone online, with the Virtual Exeter College Experience offering all learners considering joining us in 2021 the information they need to make the right decision for their future.

What is a Virtual Experience?

As an Ofsted Outstanding provider, we’re passionate about continuing to innovate for you, our learners, so we’ve put together a suite of online content, including videos, Q&As and blogs, to help you get all the information you need at your fingertips before choosing to study with us. Our aim is that you will be able to access everything you would at a traditional open event.

As part of the Virtual Exeter College Experience, interactive subject Q&A sessions will be available on Tuesday 19^th January 2021. On this date, there will also be a WebChat feature live on the website, giving you the chance to ask questions to subject leaders throughout the evening online.

How do I register?

You can register online now. This will give you access to exclusive videos on facilities, subject areas and what makes us an exceptional learning environment.

By registering for the Virtual Exeter College Experience, you can also use the LiveChat function on the website on the above dates, getting another chance to speak directly with lecturers or one of our specialist support teams on what it’s like to study with us.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with links to the pages you want access to, and you’ll also receive emails in the run-up to Live Events to remind you when interactive sessions are going live.

Who can register?

Anyone who’s interested in joining Exeter College in 2021 can register, including school leavers, adult learners and those interested in Apprenticeships and HE programmes.

How will it work?

The Virtual Exeter College Experience – How it works

Once you have registered you will be able to access information from five main sections, each featuring informative short videos.

Getting started on your journey to Exeter College
Subject area overview
Support
Student Life
Facilities

For example; you could watch the following:

Principal’s Talk
About Exeter College
Choosing Your Course
A Level Talk/Vocational & T Levels talk/Apprenticeships Talk
Subject area overview
Travel
College Advice Team Walking Tour
Enrichment Video

There will then be a wide range of videos for specific subjects. This is a more in-depth look at individual subjects. These could inform your questions when you attend

How will I access the Live Presentations?

On the day of the event, you will be sent a link via email to access the Live Q&A sessions. They can be accessed via Microsoft Teams, and no download is needed if you’re using a desktop browser. You will need to download the Microsoft Teams app if you’re planning on viewing the Live Q&A on your iPhone. By being registered, you get access to all Live Q&As, so can browse through any courses that interest you.

How do I get my questions answered?

There are two ways of asking your questions. On Tuesday 19^th January 2021, you will be able to use LiveChat to speak to subject leaders and support staff. On this date, you will also be able to ask questions directly to subject staff via Microsoft Teams live Q&A sessions.

Remember, registering for the Virtual Exeter College Experience lets you:

Find out more about subjects that interest you
Learn about what it’s like to study with Exeter College
Discover all the different study routes available for you

Click here to register for the Virtual Exeter College Experience.

Thinking about applying to Exeter College? There is a lot to consider when thinking about what your next steps are after school. There are a few things which we think makes us stand out from the rest. Here’s what’s waiting for you at Exeter College in 2021.

Why Exeter College?

Ofsted Outstanding

We are nationally recognised as one of the best, award-winning colleges in the country with an overall Ofsted rating of Outstanding, as well as Outstanding across each of the available categories. We’ve used this strong backing to continue to innovate and thrive, for the benefit of our students and the wider community. That’s why we’re one of the first providers of T Levels in the country and the only provider in Devon to deliver the new technical qualification from September 2020. Our Apprenticeship provision was shortlisted for the Beacon Award for Engagement with Employers and we were also named Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) FE College of the Year in 2018.

Subject Specialist Lecturers

When you join Exeter College, you’ll be taught by lecturers who are specialists in their field. This means they’re experts in their subject area and solely teach students within that discipline. This ensures exceptional teaching with lecturers who know how to get the best out of you. 

Teachers are not only huge advocates of their subjects in the classroom but are also often actively involved in the industry. This gives you a new breadth of knowledge around employability and current industry practices on top of the curriculum which should help you stand out when looking to take your next steps after learning with us.

Exceptional facilities

We continue to invest in our facilities across all sites to ensure that students have access to the best equipment and resources to help them succeed. Each of our buildings houses specialist industry-standard equipment related to the curriculum which includes; a TV studio, engineering and CAD/CAM workshops, a radio station, Central Fitness gym, dance studio, photography dark rooms, climbing walls, Mac suites and much more. You will be able to explore our facilities as part of our all-college interactive online seminars. Register your interest here.

A wide range of Academies and partnerships

We are proud to offer a range of inspirational academies for students who want to excel and achieve their ambitions in a particular field. In addition to this, we offer a number of enrichment activities to enhance your core programme of learning at the College.

We also work in partnership with leading local and national businesses, including the BBC, Exeter Chiefs and Exeter City FC; ensuring we’re constantly developing our education offering in line with industry, providing our students the opportunity to continue to develop beyond the curriculum.

Passionate about student wellbeing and support

We commit to a whole person approach to education. We want you to progress yourself in the best possible way, and that means supporting you when it’s tough and helping you forward when it’s possible. Our Personal Development Programme is just one way we look after you and you’ll have access to a range of wellbeing and mental health support when you join us. We believe in looking after you as best we can inside and out of College, and have specialist wellbeing and support teams to help ease any concerns or queries you might have while studying with us.

One more thing…

Don’t just take our word for it, read more about what our students think about studying with us in our latest course guide. Request your School Leaver’s Course Guide here.

Want to know more?

Register your interest in joining Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College today and we’ll send you exclusive content and details to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about joining us in September 2021.

Ready to apply?

Applications are now open for 2021 entry.

Adult Learner Achieves Top GCSE English Result

Exeter College has been celebrating a fantastic set of results from its adult learners taking GCSE English and Maths, with a 94% achievement rate.

We caught up with one learner to ask about his experience with the College and what his plans are for the future. Chris Hill, 34, from Exeter, achieved an outstanding grade 9 in GCSE English and grade 5 in Maths.

“My teacher was very supportive, putting in an amazing effort to every class. I would definitely recommend the College.”
Chris, Adult GCSE Student

Chris chose Exeter College because he wanted to return to the classroom to continue his learning as an adult. He said: “I really enjoyed the classroom environment; it was very supportive, and I had a really nice class. I was keen to be in a classroom again and enjoy learning as an adult.”

Chris said that he left school with no GCSEs and this was the first step to moving on in his career.

“I enrolled on the course because I had got to the stage in my life where I wanted a career change. Everything has been on hold because of lockdown but I am thinking of doing an Apprenticeship or taking an Access to Higher Education course next.”

Chris has enjoyed his time with Exeter College so far. He said, “My teacher was very supportive, putting in an amazing effort to every class. I would definitely recommend the College.”

It’s not too late to apply for this course and more. Adults can study for the GCSE English and Maths qualifications at Exeter College for just the resource fee of £50*, with all tuition free of charge. Find out more about GCSE English and GCSE Maths at Exeter College.

*Some ineligible learners may have to pay a fee, check the course page for more information.

Find out more about our adult courses or contact our Adult Advice Team on AdultAdvice@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400170.

Exeter College held its annual awards celebrating exceptional Apprentices and honouring the employers that go above and beyond to encourage these individuals.

For the first time, the event was hosted online, with more than 200 apprentices, employers, key business leaders, friends and family tuning in to find out the results.

Usually hosted at Sandy Park, the ceremony saw the celebration of the achievements of eighteen Apprentice winners, four employer winners and three special recognition awards. The event, kindly sponsored by leading UK construction company Kier, with further support given by Building Greater Exeter, Building Growth South West, Exeter Live Better and St Austell Brewery, took place on Thursday 26th September.

The event was compered by Exeter College Apprentices Jamie Taylor, from Radio Exe, and Ella Hymans, who works within the College’s Apprenticeship Team. The duo presented from across the City, showcasing well-known central sites and introducing guests from across the business community to announce each of the winners.

Imadeddin Razzouk El Attrach, Engineering, Aerospace and Manufacturing Apprentice at HepcoMotion in Tiverton, was awarded the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year.’ Imad joined HepcoMotion as a Higher Level Apprentice and completed his BTEC level 3 with D*, D*, D*.

His manager said, “Imad will move onto the HND, and I am sure he will insist on completing this with his usual Distinction grades. His determination and enthusiasm was evident from his first day – Imad is an extremely motivated and committed person, who always goes above and beyond expectations. I am positive Imad has a very successful career in engineering ahead of him.”

Director of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement at Exeter College, Mike Blakeley said: “This is without one of the highlights of my year. The number of Apprentices that we have across the College and our employer network, which grows year on year, makes every year so much harder to find the best of the best. The is an unusual event for us –as normally we would holding this at Sandy Park, face-to-face, having the opportunity to congratulate everyone in person. We’ve worked really hard this year to make sure this event continues, and this couldn’t have happened without Kier. Thanks also to all our judges who make the event so special and we really appreciate the input they provided.”

The Apprenticeship team shortlisted winners from each sector to be considered for the award and it was the unenviable task of the Award’s judges to select their overall winner. The judging group was made up of Doug Lloyd from Kier, Matt Bennett from Burrington Estates, Nick Beaton from Northcott Beaton, Julie Hawker from Cosmic, Victoria Hatfield and Exeter City Council, Mac McMaster from The Royal Marines, Lisa Denning from RD&E, and Adam Stone from Rokk Media

Exeter College has a substantial network of more than 950 employers from across the South of England, which support Apprenticeships and work in partnership with the College to provide vital career opportunities to both youngsters starting off in their career, through to those who are developing through work-based training or changing career paths. The employer winners named at the awards were Salty Monk, Simpkins Edwards, Devon County Council and Sitel.

Meanwhile, the special contribution award winners were Maurice Porter from engineering firm HepcoMotion, and Sydney Lovell, an Accountancy Apprentice, recognised as Inspiring Apprentice of The Year.

John Laramy, Principal at Exeter College, said “I want to say a massive thank you and well done to all of the nominees, to all of the award winners, to the employers who work with us to create such brilliant experiences for our Apprentices and our young people. At Exeter College we have award winning Apprenticeship provision, but it’s not luck – we have great Apprentices, we have brilliant employers and we have a fantastic staff team here. It’s been an unusual year, but actually it’s been a pretty fantastic year, where we have been able to embrace digital technology and we’ve been able to try new things. Thank you all for being part of it.”

The Apprenticeship winners were:

Construction – Technical & Professional – Cleopatra Gatting from Devon County Council

Construction & Trades – Chloe Lintott from Goss Joinery

Accountancy – Natasha Hebditch from South West Water

Business & Professional Services – Nigel Biernacki from RD&E

Data & Science – Emily Lane from South West Water

Digital & Technology – Aikaterini Stergiopoulou from Devon Fire & Rescue Service

Education & Early Years – Maxine Bradley from Mayfield School

Engineering, Aerospace & Manufacturing – Imadeddin Razzouk El Attrach from HepcoMotion

Fitness, Activity Leadership & Leisure – Ben Snow from University of Exeter

Hairdressing & Barbering – Kortnie Jordan from Zaina

Health & Care – Magdalena Skora from Home Orchard

Hospitality & Catering – Joseph Harris from St Austell Brewery

Motor Vehicle, Transport & Logisitics – Christopher Davis from Hendy Care Store

Adult Apprentice – Guy Sanders from GWR

Top Pre-Apprentice – Billy Lorains

Inspiring Apprentice – Sydney Lovell

Overall Apprentice of the Year – Imadeddin Razzouk El Attrach from HepcoMotion

The Employer award winners were:

New Employer of the Year – Sitel

Small Employer of the Year – Salty Monk

Medium Employer of the Year – Simpkins Edwards

Large Employer of the Year – Devon County Council

Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships – Maurice Porter from HepcoMotion

For more information on Apprenticeship schemes or to enquire about our services to business, please contact apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400800.

Three steps to joining Exeter College in 2021

Thinking about applying for Exeter College but want to know more first? Here are our three simple steps to finding out more about joining us.

Register your interest

We’ll send you email updates on our latest online interactive seminars, where you’ll get to ask subject leaders about what it’s like to study with us. You’ll also receive subject-specific information direct to your inbox to learn more about what it’s like to study with us.

Wednesday 14^th October 2020 (4-8pm)
Wednesday 18th November 2020 (5-8pm)
Tuesday 19th January 2021 (5-7pm)

Remember, these online sessions are your chance to:

Find out more about subjects that interest you
Learn about what it’s like to study with Exeter College
Discover all the different study routes available for you

These online seminars will be available for those interested in joining us as school leavers, Apprentices, higher education students and adult learners.

Request a guide

We have courses available from Level 1 all the way through to degree level study. Students who are considering options following school can choose to study A Levels, Apprenticeships, T Levels, vocational courses and the International Baccalaureate.

We offer a wide range of subjects from Aeronautical Engineering to Professional Cookery and Environmental Science to Art and Design. Find the perfect course for you by looking in our course search. Request your School Leavers’ Course Guide now.

Adult learners can use our adult course search.

Apply online

So, you have done your research, you know which course/s you want to apply for, the next step is to apply online. It’s simple!

Click here to apply online – it’s really easy and you will get an immediate acknowledgement from us that we have received your application.

We recommend you apply as soon as possible to guarantee an early interview. Some courses are very popular so an early application can help secure your place.

Find out more about our application process.

Before you go – don’t forget to…

Check out your travel options and whether you are eligible for any financial support

Got any questions?

If you require support for your current course choices, or want to know more about learning with Exeter College, contact our College Advice Team on CAT@exe-coll.ac.uk

School Leavers’ Course Guide for 2021 Entry Out Now

Our School Leavers’ Course Guide for students interested in joining us from September 2021 is out now.

Inside your guide, you’ll find complete course information on our wide variety of study options, including A Levels, BTECs, Apprenticeships and, the government’s brand new T Levels; a technical-based qualification that prepares students for industry with practical skills and knowledge.

We have also included information on what it’s like to be a student at Exeter College, with personal stories from current and former students. As well as this, you will find pages on all that makes Exeter College outstanding, including information on:

Student support
Our College community
Academies and enrichment
Facilities
Travel
How to apply

You can request a Course Guide here and we will post a copy to you. Inside, you’ll find information on EVERY course available for school leavers with Exeter College.

Need help choosing the right level of study and course for you?

Contact our College Advice Team to arrange a visit or chat. They can be contacted on 01392 400500 or cat@exe-coll.ac.uk.

Thinking of joining Exeter College in 2021?

Follow our three easy steps to becoming an Exeter College student:

Exeter College’s Construction Centre extension welcomes new T Level students

Exeter College’s new Construction Centre extension has welcomed its first cohort of Construction T Level students following a £1million transformation creating a bespoke learning area for the new qualification.

Exeter College is one of the first providers in the country – and the only one in Devon – to offer T Levels for the 2020 academic year, with two year, full time courses now running in Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare.

“Our T Level learners will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers need and will be the talent of the future.”
Sam Hillman, Assistant Principal

T Levels follow on from GCSEs and are set to revolutionise the technical education landscape, providing learners with a qualification that is the equivalent to three A Levels and combines classroom-based learning with 20% of time spent on an industry placement. T Levels can be used to move directly in to industry or to support an application to university. Further T Level courses are set to be rolled out across the country in the coming years, providing additional study routes in a variety of industries.

The extension in the Construction Centre makes space for a new computer suite, as well as an electrical workshop and testing area for students. Underneath the mezzanine is a painting and decorating room and workshop for teaching trades. The renovation also includes a new café and staffroom. 

The extra space has also led to the conversion of the Learning Resource Centre. This will become two bespoke teaching rooms, each boasting 15 brand new specialist Computer Aided Design (CAD) computers. These facilities will provide Exeter College’s Construction T Level students with industry standard technology, software and packages for the design and project management side of the new course. 

The folding acoustic partition separating these two classrooms also means that this new space can easily transform into one large seminar room, where all learners can learn together. This will give the College flexibility in terms of numbers and how to deliver certain aspects of the new qualification. 

Sam Hillman, Assistant Principal at Exeter College, said, “We are very excited to be one of the first FE providers in the country and the only College in Devon to deliver T Levels.

“Learners studying with us on a T Level will benefit from subject specialist teachers who have worked in industry as well as have access to state of the art facilities and resources.

“Our T Level learners will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers need and will be the talent of the future.”

Dave O’Connor, Head of Construction at Exeter College, said, “The investment in facilities will provide our T Level learners with bespoke training areas supported with state-of-the-art technology to really enhance the teaching and learning experience. Our industry specialist staff can take teaching to the next level and we’re all excited about delivering this new qualification.”

The T Level qualification will consist of 80% of time spent in the classroom gaining technical and theoretical skills and the remaining 20% is a valuable placement in industry.

Dave explained, “The College has Industry Placement Liaison Officers to create all the partnerships with local businesses to create these placement opportunities. Students will generally spend four days in College and have one day working in the industry.

“The bespoke industry placement will support students and will help to create the next wave of civil engineers. We’re excited to help students create a career for themselves and make a big difference in society.”

Applications to join Exeter College in September 2021 are open now, with a total of ten T Levels set to be offered, including in Design and Surveying, Healthcare Science and Science.

Find out more about T Levels with Exeter College.

Request our 2021/22 School Leavers’ Course Guide for information on every course we’re offering for the next academic year.

Register now to find out more about the subjects that interest you at Exeter College, including information on our next live interactive seminars.

Exeter College Masterplan Shortlisted in Michelmores Property Awards 2020

Exeter College’s ambitious campus Masterplan, which places a vision for what the College’s sites will look like over the next 20 years, has been shortlisted in the prestigious Michelmores Property Awards 2020.

The awards, which is now in its 18^th year, celebrate the most prestigious, innovative and exciting developments taking place in the South West and the Exeter College Masterplan has been shortlisted in the ‘Masterplanning for the Future’ category.

“Our Masterplan is about investing in education in this region and investing in the skills that learners need to thrive in the economy of the future.”
Steve Strang, Director of Estates and Information Technology

As part of the College’s Masterplan, which has been approved unanimously by Exeter City Council, the College has set out a plan to meet the ambitions of the city of Exeter and the wider region in the coming years. This includes an overarching estates investment that will revolutionise the College’s sites, including the eventual demolition of the College’s iconic Tower Building to be replaced with state-of-the-art specialist learning centres.

The Masterplan is already seeing its vision be realised, with the first phase of development – a new Digital and Data Centre as part of the South West Institute of Technology – currently under construction at the College’s Hele Road site.

Other developments set to take place as part of the Masterplan over the next 20 years includes a new pedestrian walkway from St David’s Station to the city centre and to better utilise the College’s green spaces on campus for maximum benefit to learners and the wider community.

The Masterplan follows on from the College’s recent inspirational build projects in recent years, including a specialist Maths and Science Centre in 2015, a Gym and Dance Studio in 2019 and a £1million mezzanine in the Construction Centre to aid with the delivery of T Levels from September 2020.

Winners of the Michelmores Property Awards 2020 will be announced on November 12^th with details on the virtual awards ceremony set to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Exeter College Masterplan places a vision for the future of the College’s sites over the next 20 years.

Exeter College Director of Estates and Information Technology Steve Strang said, “I’m delighted that our ambitious Masterplan has been shortlisted for this prestigious award.”

“Our Masterplan is about investing in education in this region and investing in the skills that learners need to thrive in the economy of the future. Although an ambitious and far-reaching project, we’ve worked to ensure this plan meets not only our needs as an exceptional education provider but also meets the needs of learners, businesses and the wider community.

“Best of luck to all the others shortlisted in the awards; there are some remarkable projects taking place in the south west and it’s great to be able to celebrate these achievements.”

Emma Honey, Head of Property at Michelmores, said, “Many congratulations to those schemes shortlisted in this year’s Michelmores Property Awards. The last few months have brought unprecedented uncertainty to all of our lives and now, more than ever, it is important to celebrate the excellence in our region’s property and construction sector. We look forward to celebrating 2020’s winning projects at a virtual event on Thursday 12 November; we will share more details on this year’s ceremony soon.”

“It’s different, but a good different,” – students on the safe return to College

Staff at Exeter College have been working hard to ensure that students can return to a safe environment, while continuing to provide an outstanding college experience.

“The one-way system and making sure everyone has face masks on has been good, I feel safe,”
Dom, Exeter College student

As students return to our classrooms for the start of the new term, we caught up with some of them to ask how they are feeling about being back in education after months of being home.

Matilda, who travels from Somerset and is studying Health and Social Care said: “It’s been different but a good different. I was ready for the change when we finished school to be a bit more grown up. I get the train and it’s been good; I was quite nervous about it, but it’s been smooth sailing and I felt safe.”

Dom gets the train from North Devon and is studying Sport. He said: “The one-way system and making sure everyone has face masks on has been good, I feel safe.

When talking about meeting new people with the restrictions in place, Dom said: “It’s still been easy, I find it easy to make friends, so it’s been good.”

Leah gets the bus to college and is studying Make Up Artistry. We asked if anything has made her feel safer at college and she said: “The one-way system, 110%. Everyone has their own space and because there is a one-way system around the building, it’s just easier for people to get their own space and feel more comfortable.”

Shar, who is in the same class as Leah said: “I wasn’t initially looking forward to coming back but now that I am actually back, I am really enjoying it. It’s nice to meet new people and make new friends, meet the lecturers and learn new things.”

Find out about the Coronavirus safety guidance we have in place for all learners.

Discover your future with our Adult Course Guide

If you’re an adult looking at your future career options then the Exeter College Adult Course Guide will give you the information and clarity you need to take your next steps in your chosen career.

Whether you want to change jobs entirely or want to progress in your current sector, one of our part time adult courses could be the key you need to unlock your future.

Adult courses with us are designed for direct application to the workplace and aim to give learners the confidence and qualifications to improve their prospects and achieve their professional goals.

Inside the Adult Course Guide, you will find full information on the wide variety of courses available for adult learners, including entry requirements and eligibility for free GCSE courses in English and Maths if you haven’t achieved these qualifications before.

Guidance is also available on funding and finance options – including information on Advanced Learner Loans that are only paid back when earning over a certain threshold (currently £26,575 per year). And Low-income concessions (anyone earning under £17,000 a year). Many adults are also eligible for Government-funded grants and bursaries to help with the costs of childcare or associated study costs; full eligibility information can be found inside the guide or on our finance page.

What’s on offer for adults at Exeter College?

Professional Courses. These are courses that provide training and skills-based knowledge in specific professional areas. These can be used to change career or improve prospects in a current role.
English and Maths pre-GCSE and GCSE courses. These are free courses from Entry Level to Level 2, designed to help adults get these crucial qualifications for future career aspirations.
Access to Higher Education. These courses help those without traditional formal qualifications or who might have been out of education for some time to have the skills and qualification to move on to degree level study. These are especially popular with adults who now want to progress on to study at university or are looking to retrain.
Higher Education. Get degree-level qualifications with Exeter College with our Centre for University Level Studies. Students choose us for our smaller class sizes and commitment to helping you to achieve your personal goals throughout study. Our higher education provision is rated as ‘Gold’ in the Teaching Excellence Framework, putting us alongside some of the top universities in the country.
Higher Apprenticeships. These courses involve part time study with us alongside a formal Apprenticeship with a company in industry.

Request the Adult Course Guide today.

Contact our specialist Adult Advisers on adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400170 for a chat about your options. They can also guide you through the application process for joining a course or getting your funding sorted.