Freshers
This page contains information for students who will be new to Exeter College in September 2024.
Here at Exeter College we are looking forward to welcoming you to enrolment and to the start of your College journey with us!
To support you in your preparations we have pulled together all the information and resources you will need between now and joining us as an Exeter College student in September.
DATES TO REMEMBER
THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
FRESHERS’ DAY 1
- A Level and IB arrive at 9am and finish at 3pm
- All other courses arrive at 10am and finish at 4pm
FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
FRESHERS’ DAY 2
- A Level and IB arrive at 10am and finish at 4pm
- All other courses arrive at 9am and finish at 3pm
MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
START OF LESSONS
- Lessons start for all full time students as per your timetable (you will get this on Freshers’ Days).
YOUR FIRST DAYS AT COLLEGE – FRESHERS’ DAYS
Start for A Level and IB courses
Thursday 5 September, 9am – 3pm and
Friday 6 September, 10am – 4pm
Start for all other courses
Thursday 5 September, 10am – 4pm and
Friday 6 September, 9am – 3pm
All new students have a two-day induction (Freshers’ Days) from Thursday 5 to Friday 6 September and must attend College on both days.
Refer to the Getting Started booklet you receive at your enrolment appointment for more details about where to go.
If you misplace or forget your Getting Started booklet there will be staff located at Helpzone locations and at receptions during the first few days of College who can help you to find the right place to go (see below for more).
Get off to a Flying Start
We know lots of you are keen to get a head start on your College subjects before joining us, and that’s why we’ve developed Flying Start; our suite of learning content designed to get you thinking about your new subjects with us.
If you haven’t received the Flying Start information you can find it here:
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE START OF TERM?
Your first two days at College are known as Freshers’ Days. When you arrive, there will be lots of College staff to meet you and help you find your way around – just look for staff wearing their lanyards and some also wearing blue!
During the Freshers’ Days you will:
- Meet your tutor and your tutor group
- Hear from the College Principal to find out more about the College
- Learn more about your course, your tutorial sessions and the wide range of support available to you with your studies and wellbeing
- Attend the EXtra Fair – to find out about all the exciting EXtra clubs and societies on offer to you (and to enjoy freebies from local companies!)
- Make new friends and have fun! Your tutor will plan lots of activities to help you get to know one another, and to feel welcomed and confident as quickly as possible
- Do some orientation activities to help you find your way around the buildings
- Get your individual College timetable
Remember! Teaching starts on Monday 9 September
You will need to refer to your individual timetable for details.
Make sure financial support is in place
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is available to help with the costs of coming to College.
Find out more about about the eligibility criteria and how to apply below:
Helpzones
Our staff will be on hand throughout your first days to support with queries, no matter how big or small. You can also head to your nearest reception for help and signposting.
HELPZONES – there to assist you at the start of term
If you have any questions or are not sure where to go during your first few days, you can visit one of the Helpzones which will be set up in the foyer of the following locations:
- Tower Building
- Victoria House
- Centre for Creative Industries
- Maths and Science Centre
RECEIVING YOUR TIMETABLE
You will be given your individual timetable on your first day at College – Thursday 5 September. This will detail all your lessons, where they are, who will be teaching you and when your free study periods are. If you have any questions about your timetable or see any errors, please speak to your tutor directly.
Example College timetables for the differing pathways are shown below:
A LEVEL
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
ALL OTHER FULL-TIME COURSES
EXETER COLLEGE CAMPUS EXPLAINED
City centre locations
Our Hele Road site is the central hub of the College. At this site you’ll find these buildings:
We also have buildings spread out across Queen Street in the city centre, including:
Out of Exeter city centre locations
If you are studying a Construction course or Apprenticeship, you will be based at Falcon House in Sowton.
Some of our courses, including Aeronautical Engineering and Travel and Tourism, are based at the Future Skills Centre, near Exeter Airport.
If you are studying Outdoor Adventure Sports courses, you will be based at Haven Banks on the Quayside.
If you are studying an Engineering, Aerospace or Automotive course or Apprenticeship, you will be based at the Technology Centre in Monkerton.
CAFES AND SOCIAL SPACES
We have well-equipped communal learning spaces at Exeter College that empower our learners to be engaged with their studies.
Each Learning Resource Centre (LRC) has its own personality, so you’ll be able to find the perfect space to learn and revise, with the resources you need.
Our knowledgeable LRC Team are on the helpdesks to give you advice and guidance to improve the study skills and digital skills that are essential for learning.
Our sites have great indoor and outdoor communal areas to help you unwind and grab a bite to eat between lessons.
Most College buildings have a café serving hot and cold food, as well as snacks, Costa or Starbucks coffees, and other drinks. The cafés are also good spaces to bring your own food and simply relax with your friends when you’re not in lessons.
The Student Hub on the Hele Road site is also a good location to unwind, socialise and study. You will also find games equipment and covered outdoor seating areas for you to enjoy across our sites.
BE EXCEPTIONAL, DO EXTRA
When a student joins us at Exeter College, their learning experience reaches far beyond their course.
As well as your core programme of study and and tutorial time, you will also have the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of awareness days and pop-up events through the academic year. You can also join in extra-curricular opportunities that will help to enhance your interests and talents, make new friends, develop new skills, and have fun along the way. We call these elements of your College programme EXtra.
Find out more about the many clubs and societies available to you by heading to the EXtra Fair during your first days at College. And, if you have a particular hobby or talent that you would like to share and develop alongside your peers, you will be supported to establish your own group by lecturers and the EXtra Team.
WHERE TO GO FOR SUPPORT AT COLLEGE
Your Wellbeing
Looking after your wellbeing is fundamental to having a positive College experience, and we support you to take care of your wellbeing in lots of ways. You will have a personal tutor throughout your time at Exeter College. Your tutor will be your first point of contact for course-related or other queries. Through regular one-to-ones your tutor will support you in your wellbeing and can signpost you to other College support teams as appropriate. Your tutor will deliver a tutorial programme of core cross-college themes including money matters, mental health awareness, revision, cultural diversity, and more. Many core themes are also supported by pop-up events, guest speakers and workshops. Students also benefit from the support of our team of EXtra Student Experience Officers who coordinate a range of wellbeing and personal development activities through the year. You can get in touch with them by emailing extra@exe-coll.ac.uk.
Future Steps Team
Our Future Steps Team are available to support you in thinking about your next steps. They are available for one-to-one appointments and can offer advice on progression to next level courses, university level study, Apprenticeships, gap year planning, job seeking, and much more.