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Minister for Higher and Further Education visits Digital and Data Centre

Exeter College is delighted to welcome Minister of State for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelan, to their sector-leading Institute of Technology Digital and Data Centre which helps to drive growth and widen opportunities in the digital industry.

The Digital and Data Centre at Exeter College focuses on providing employer-led education opportunities in the digital sector, including courses around data analytics, cyber security, software development, Esports and providing training for Apple’s app development.

Minister for Higher and Further Education Michelle Donelan, was given a tour of the centre and spoke to adult learners and apprentices studying digital skills at the college about their course and future career aspirations. She said:  

“It was my pleasure to visit Exeter College today, a key partner in the South West Institute of Technology (SWIoT), to see first-hand why they rightly deserve their outstanding Ofsted ranking.  

“Institutes of Technology are a game changer in technical education, and SWIoT is leading the country in delivering world-class degree apprenticeships in cutting edge industries such as technology, and digital skills.

“From their world-class Data Science Degree Apprenticeship to offering exciting opportunities in marine engineering, South West IoT shows what is possible when local education institutions and businesses join forces.”

John Laramy CBE, Exeter College’s Principal and Chief Executive, said:

“It was an absolute privilege to host the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelan, today.  The city of Exeter is a great example of a place whereby the education eco-system works collaboratively with other training providers, employers and stakeholders to make a difference to the communities we serve.

“The Minister toured our Digital Data Centre, which is part of the South West Institute of Technology (SWIoT), talking to students from an array of different programmes from Boot Camps to Data Analytics.

“The Exeter College part of the South West IoT, alongside the University of Exeter, aims to provide employers and students with a digital skills escalator to help equip both the city and region with the skills that it needs to grow and thrive”.

Unique Bibliotherapy Course is Launched at Exeter College

Exeter College and Exeter City of Literature are proud to announce a new and ambitious bibliotherapy course offering unique skills to those working in community-focused organisations. Bibliotherapy is a method of improving wellbeing through reading. This innovative approach to literature and wellbeing, both from an educational and literary activity standpoint, is believed to be unique in the region. 

A development group made up of esteemed bibliotherapist Susan Elderkin, experienced teachers, a psychotherapist, City of Literature Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard, and book-industry professionals worked together to build the Introduction to Bibliotherapy Skills course. Exeter College is offering this course every term as an adult evening learning course. 

“I have witnessed the power of the right book time and time again, so cannot wait to explore the power of wellbeing through reading…”

Liv Hooper – Associate Lecturer at Exeter College and freelancer for Exeter City of Literature

Trainees will develop bibliotherapy skills that they will be able to use to support people in their workplace and communities, people who would benefit from personalised book prescriptions and conversations around reading to increase their overall wellbeing. 

Exeter City of Literature Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard and Exeter College’s Head of Faculty for Professional and Adult Learning, Sarah Mandeno said:  

“Exeter College and Exeter UNESCO City of Literature are dedicated to the idea that reading can change lives. We came together to create this innovative course because we saw what an impact Susan Elderkin’s bibliotherapy sessions had on the families at Whipton Barton Junior School last summer, and we wanted to find a way to ensure others could benefit from bibliotherapy in some way. We know that this course will be meaningful not just to the participants but to their workplaces and communities as well.” 

The first cohort of learners to benefit from this course will be people made up of organisations from across the city and region such as Magic Carpet, CoLab, HMP Exeter, Devon Recovery Learning Community, and others. The course will then be offered to adult learners every term, open to anyone with an interest in this area. 

Associate Lecturer at Exeter College and freelancer for Exeter City of Literature Liv Hooper said: 

“It has been a privilege to have been part of the team building this course, and I am tremendously excited to be co-teaching our first cohort. As a bookseller and (self-declared) literary enabler for the best part of a decade now, I have witnessed the power of the right book time and time again, so cannot wait to explore the power of wellbeing through reading with those best placed to share it with others.” 

You can register your interest for the course here and we will be in touch later in the year with course dates and further information.

Exeter College Scoops Top Award at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards 

Nominees for the Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards recently gathered to celebrate excellence in apprenticeship delivery. With a record-breaking number of entries, the bar was set high.  

Exeter College is delighted to have scooped the award for Legal, Finance and Accounting Apprenticeship Provider of the Year. 

Sarah Mandeno, Head of Faculty for Professional Adult Learning at Exeter College said: 

“We are delighted to have won the Legal, Finance and Accounting Apprenticeship Provider of the Year Award at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards. We have a passionate and committed team and an ambitious curriculum that develops highly skilled, confident and ethical accountants who add value to the finance sector and the local community.  

“The growth and development of the provision over the last few years and a new professional space at the Future Skills Centre, has hugely enhanced the experience for our apprentices.” 

The College supports 120 finance sector employer partners from Paddington to Penzance – including key players like GWR and Simpkin Edwards. 

The qualifications and values of awarding body, AAT, are embedded in the heart of the College’s provision and influence engagement strategies. Employer focus groups allow the College to understand business needs, populating their calendar of events with employer conferences, webinars and networking opportunities for employers and Apprentices alike. 

Samantha Wilson, Head of Apprenticeships at Exeter College said; 

“This award represents the hard work and relentless commitment of so many amazing curriculum teams and employer collaborations, making remarkable things happen here at the College.” 

AAT Regional Account Manager Amy Ammar said: 

“Exeter College’s Apprenticeship programmes provide great progression pathways for Accounting Apprentices giving them the valuable employability and professional skills to progress along their career path.” 

Find out more about Apprenticeships at the next Exeter College Open Event. 

Take the leap and get into teaching

Been thinking about getting into teaching? Harry Faint, Media and Performing Arts Programme Leader at Exeter College says; “Do it. Regardless of whether teaching is your forever career or just a step, it will unlock so much for you.” 

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is available to study at Exeter College and with government bursaries available for people looking to get into Further Education (FE) teacher training for 2022-23, now is the perfect time to take the leap and apply. 

Harry continues; “I loved the course because of my mentors and the people studying alongside me. It gave me supportive, tangible, on the job experience, but with the space to develop and make mistakes.” 

The PGCE is a level 6/7 programme for those who wish to enter the profession in a full teaching role in post-16 education and training. This programme is studied over one-year, full time and contributes to professional formation QTLS status. The course runs for five days a week from September to June. 

Over the last four years, Exeter College has employed upwards of 75% of its PGCE trainees in a range of roles across the college, both part-time and full-time. 

Ellie is currently studying for the PGCE, she said; “The level of support I have received from Exeter College, both the Teacher Education team and my faculty, has been phenomenal. It has been an extremely positive experience so far. I have felt encouraged to express my own personality through teaching instead of being taught to teach only one way which I think is really special.” 

Before studying the PGCE course, Ellie studied for a BA (Hons) English Language and Literature with the Open University whilst being a full-time parent to three children. She then went on to complete a full academic year as a learning coach in a secondary school. 

She goes on to say; “The things that drew me to the PGCE course that Exeter College provides were that it was convenient for commuting purposes, it offered on site placements that are conducive to your specialism and that the course is overseen and accredited by the University of Exeter. 

“If someone said to me that they were thinking about going into teaching I would say go for it! You need to be driven, have empathy and patience and be prepared to work extremely hard but the rewards are so worth it. Seeing those little lightbulb moments in your learners’ eyes and seeing their successes are the most rewarding and amazing experiences.” 

The bursaries, available for the 2022 to 2023 academic year, are awarded to trainees based on their relevant qualifications or professional experience, and their intention to teach a designated priority subject in the FE sector.  

To find out more about the PGCE and the funding options available, visit the next Adult and Higher Education Open Event at Exeter College on Wednesday 6 April or contact the Adult Advice Team on 01392 400170 or email adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk.

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.

Exceptional Results for Exeter College Access to Higher Education Students

Exeter College’s truly exceptional summer of results has continued with the stunning success of their Access to Higher Education (HE) students, who are celebrating a huge 96% achievement rate.

The results mean that the vast majority of students on an Access to HE course at Exeter College now have the skills and qualifications to move on to fully-fledged degree level studies at universities throughout the UK.  

“They truly deserve these incredible results, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll all go on to achieve next,”

Lucinda Sanders, Exeter College Director of Adult Learning

The outstanding results follow the news earlier this summer that the College’s International Baccalaureate students achieved a 100% pass rate. Over a third of students achieved more than 40 points, putting them in the top 5-10% of students in the entire world.  

For many adult learners, an Access to HE course is a route into a higher level of study for those who don’t hold many formal qualifications or don’t meet the current entry requirements for university level education. Having completed their Access course at Exeter College, this cohort of students can now go on to make applications to study at universities, safe in the knowledge they have the required qualifications to make a successful application.  

Exeter College Director of Adult Learning Lucinda Sanders said, “It’s hugely satisfying to see the success of our Access students, especially during what has been a unique academic year for their studies with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I’m thrilled that they’re celebrating their achievements in their courses. It will certainly unlock their future ambitions when it comes to university level study. 

“It was great seeing the way students and staff adapted to the pandemic to continue teaching and learning at an incredibly high level during difficult circumstances. I want to thank all our teaching staff and students for taking to the new way of working so well. They truly deserve these incredible results, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll all go on to achieve next.”  

Exeter College Access to Healthcare student Amy Mulvihill, 20, achieved an incredible 45 distinctions, giving her the grade profile to be accepted to study Midwifery at the University of Southampton.  

“I’m so happy that I’ve got the results to go on to study at university. When I last studied, I just missed out on what I needed to get in, so I’m really pleased that I’ve got what I wanted.” 

The student from Exmouth wanted to pay tribute to the Exeter College lecturers that supported her during her year-long programme of study.  

“From the start, they found out about our entry requirements for where we all wanted to study and what we wanted to do at university. This meant they could support each of us in the right way for what we wanted to go on to study in the future, and that definitely made it all easier to understand and relevant to our interests.  

“It has been an enjoyable and sometimes intense year, but everyone is really supportive. Someone is always there to help you if you need them.” 

Find out about former Access to Higher Education student Anna Grayson, who used her Art and Design course to become a fully-fledged artist.  

Find out about Access to Higher Education with Exeter College.  

Discover Exeter College’s wide range of courses for adult learners.

5 REASONS TO ATTEND EXETER COLLEGE’S ADULT ONLINE OPEN EVENT

Are you an adult looking to further your education or learn a new skill? Exeter College is here for you. We’re inviting you to our Adult Online Open Event, Tuesday 16th June 2020, 3pm-7pm, where we’ll help you to find your future.  

This event is directed towards any adult (19+) who is interested in studying a course with Exeter College. Perhaps you’re hoping to move forward with your career aspirations, retrain in a new profession or just improve your skills. We have something for everyone.  

Our Adult Online Open Event is the best and easiest way to find out what Exeter College can offer you…  

FIND OUT ABOUT COURSES 

Exeter College is bursting with opportunities for adult learners.  

We offer a range of course types and subjects, from GCSE English and Maths, professional and leisure courses, university level study and Apprenticeships. We know all learners are different, and that’s why we cater for all levels of learning.   

Our Adult Online Open Event is the perfect place to find out which course could help you to unlock your future, and you can do this all from the comfort of your own home, via your phone or laptop.  

HEAR FROM SUBJECT LECTURERS  

We want you to get the best start to your time at Exeter College, and that’s why we’ve arranged for you to be able to hear from subject lecturers during an interactive seminar.  

Each lecturer will break down their courses for you, so you know what to expect when you start. From course content, timetabling and typical exam results, our lecturers are here to guide you.  

ASK LIVE QUESTIONS 

Each session will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.  

After each interactive seminar, subject leaders will respond to your queries. Simply type them in using the question box and get your reply.  

We recommend having a pen and paper handy during the seminar, so you can note down your questions as you think of them.  

HEAR FROM ADULT ADVISERS  

We know that for a lot of our adult learners, the thought of going back into education can be daunting. To help you achieve your full potential, Exeter College’s adult advisers are here to support you.  

Hear about the outstanding adult learning environment at Exeter College and our personalised approach to teaching and learning.  

We make sure you’ll gain the skills to take you to the next level in a supportive and engaging environment.  

LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

Often, adult learners feel there are barriers to returning to education, but we want you to know that we’re here to support you.  

Our Adult Online Open Event will allow you to learn more about the financial support available to students.   

Our advisors will guide you through how to finance courses through funding or other means, and the bursaries the college offers and how to access them.  
 
If you would like to join us at our Adult Online Open Event, you can register your interest here.  

You can view our range of adult courses on our website, or you can request a course guide to be sent to your home. For any additional information, please email our adult advisers on adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk.  

To apply for an adult course, please visit our application page. For help with your application, please email info@exe-coll.ac.uk. For adults interested in studying a university level course at Exeter College, you can apply via the online UCAS application system.   

May 2004: City pensioner student proves it’s never too late to learn. 

As part of Exeter College celebrating 50 years as the UK’s first ever tertiary college, we are looking back on some memorable events which have helped us to become the Ofsted Outstanding education provider we are today.

THEN…

In May 2004, we celebrated the achievements of Exeter pensioner Helen who, by completing two A Levels at Exeter College, became a shining example of what many adult learners could achieve. 

Helen did so well in her studies she was nominated for the Senior Learner of the Year award by the National Institute of Adult Education. 

Completing her A Level in English Literature and an AS Level Maths in just one year, she continued her studies with a Maths A2 course. 

Helen said at the time: “I retired, but I decided that I didn’t want to watch daytime television, so I looked for alternatives. 

“I went for Maths and English because the subjects had changed so much since I was at school in the 1960s. I have enjoyed every minute of it. 

“It surprised me to be nominated for this award,” Helen added. 

Helen also admitted that she had also influenced other people to follow her lead, persuading friends and acquaintances to apply for courses and further their education like herself.   

NOW…

To this day, Exeter College offers a broad spectrum of courses available to adults, from entry level to degree level, from leisure courses to professional courses. We pride ourselves on giving our adult learners a personalised approach to teaching in a supportive and engaging environment. 

The Teaching Excellence Framework has awarded our university level teaching ‘Gold’, so our students know that they’ll receive exceptional teaching and gain the skills needed to take them to the next level. 

If you’re interested in completing an adult course, like Helen, find out more at our Adult Online Open Event on Tuesday the 16th of June, 3pm – 7pm.  

We can help you to find the right course for your future. At our open event, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from lecturers, ask live questions to teachers and learn about the support and guidance offered at Exeter College.  

You can register your interest in our Adult Open Event today.  

Read about the other ways Exeter College has supported the community during these unprecedented times.  

Check out everything we’ve done to celebrate 50 years since being named as the UK’s first ever tertiary college.   

Exeter College is celebrating 50 years since being named as the UK’s first tertiary college. Although our roots date back to the 1800s, our status as a tertiary college marked a revolution in further education and 2020 marks our 50 years of excellence since that landmark. If you have a memory of Exeter College through the years that you’d like to share, contact marketing@exe-coll.ac.uk or get involved on social media using #ExeColl50. 

All you need to know about Exeter College’s Adult Online Open Event

The Adult Online Open Event is taking place today (16th June, 3-7pm). To view live interactive seminars, either check your emails or visit our Open Event page with the latest links to access the sessions.

What is it?  

The Exeter College Adult Online Open Event will provide adults (19+) with everything they need to know about studying with Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College.  

When is it? 

The Adult Online Open Event will take place live via Microsoft Teams (no installation required) on Tuesday 16th June, 2020, 3-7pm.  

Who can attend? 

The event is aimed at any adult who is interested in studying a course with Exeter College, whether that’s GCSEs, a Professional course, University level study or an Apprenticeship. 

If you know exactly which course you want to do or you’re just browsing your options, you can get the information you need with the Adult Online Open Event.  

How will it work?  

Simply register your interest and we’ll send you an email confirming your place to attend the online sessions. In the run up to the event, you’ll receive an email with links to give you access the interactive seminars.  

Then, attend your session at the posted time and ask questions via the live chat to get your questions answered by our adult learning experts. 

What will I find out?  

You will find out about the range of courses offered for adults at Exeter College. You’ll discover which courses can unlock that next step in achieving your career aims and learn about how Exeter College has helped thousands of adults to achieve their education goals.  

If you’re not sure on which course is right for you or you know exactly what you want to do,  Exeter College has a course for you. We offer a range of courses from entry-level to university level study.

Information will also be available on financial support available for adult learners, including government-funded support for many adults who may not have thought they were eligible.  

Why Exeter College? 

We’ve been training adults to achieve their professional goals for nearly 50 years, so we know what we’re doing.  

Our adult courses provide a strong focus towards direct application to industry or further study and help adults upskill or change careers in a way they might not have thought possible.  

Whether it’s an Access to Higher Education course, GCSEs, Degree Level studies or one of our Professional courses, we will provide you with the tools to take that next step in your career.  

Our university level provision is rated by the Teaching Excellence Framework as ‘Gold’, the highest classification in the scheme. Our commitment to smaller class sizes and tailored learning ensures our students can confidently progress in their careers, safe in the knowledge that they have the skills to thrive.  

Register Now 

Register now for the Adult Online Open Event on Tuesday, 16th June, 3-7pm and we’ll send you details in the run up to the event with the links and timings to access the sessions.  

If you can’t attend all the sessions you want to, don’t worry. Recordings of all the seminars will be available online after the event. 

Find out more about Adult Learning with Exeter College. 

News round up: Exeter College supporting the community during the lockdown

Over the last few months, we, as a college, community, and a nation, have experienced a lot of firsts. We’re proud to have stepped up to help, supporting people through these difficult times. Here’s our round up of the most popular stories on our website since the lockdown began.  

WE MOVED TO HOME AND ONLINE LEARNING 

Following the advice from Public Health England, the Government and the NHS, Exeter College sites closed for the majority of learners.  

Although the Exeter College site closed, learning never stopped. Thanks to our expert staff, students’ exceptional education continued remotely.  

In a bid to offer further support, we provided our top tips on how to study at home, a guide on how to set up work and learning areas and our Health and wellbeing expert shared his advice on how to look after yourself during the lockdown.  

Find out more about our move to remote learning. 

WE OFFERED ACCOMMODATION TO NHS WORKERS

Exeter College has opened the doors of its Clock Tower accommodation to NHS workers in need of a place to stay during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.   

“Staff at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are working incredibly hard to save lives on the front line. As a community organisation, we felt it’s only right that we offer everything we can to help them and the NHS,”

– Kristyn Woodward, Exeter College Director of Student Experience. 

Find out more.   

WE LAUNCHED FLYING START FOR STUDENTS JOINING US IN SEPTEMBER

We knew lots of students were keen to get a head start on their College subjects before joining us. So, we developed Flying Start; our suite of pre-enrolment learning content, getting students to think about their new subjects with us.  

“Flying Start provides some small introductory pieces of work, as well as some suggested background reading on subjects,”

– Jade Otty, Exeter College Vice Principal. 

Access our Flying Start pre-enrolment work.  

Find out more about Flying Start.  

WE JOINED FORCES WITH PPE4EXETER

In Partnership with PPE4Exeter, a grassroots community project, Exeter College supported the production and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment for community-bases health and care workers. 

We have helped PPE4Exeter provide local centres with safety glasses, face masks, gloves and face shields. 

Find out more about our partnership with PPE4Exeter.  

WE LINKED UP WITH FOOD4HEROES TO PROVIDE MEALS TO NHS STAFF

We offered our state-of-the-art industrial kitchen facilities to Food4Heroes; a charity that provides free nutritious meals to frontline NHS staff during the Coronavirus pandemic.   

Exeter College’s @34 training kitchens are now in use, providing 200 nutritionally balanced, free meals to NHS staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital daily.  

Find out more.  

WE CAUGHT UP WITH OUR STUDENTS

We shared how our students were getting on with their remote learning. 

“Despite all the uncertainty with the current situation, the transition to home learning has been smooth. It has been good to have some continuity and a reason to force some structure into what could be empty days,”

– Tom Matthew, FE Student Governor.

We also got in touch with Madeline Crow, an Exeter College student who ended her studies early to join the NHS front line staff in the fight against coronavirus. 

Find out more about how our students have found remote learning. 

WE MOVED OUR OPEN EVENTS ONLINE

We wanted to offer people the chance to discover everything our Ofsted Outstanding further education provider has to offer, from the comfort of their own home. 

With our Apprenticeship Online Open Event and our Online Showcase being a success, we will soon be rolling out our Adult Online Open Event for anyone who wants to learn a new skill or further their career. 

Register for the Adult Online Open Event. 

Applications are open now to study at Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College in September 2020. 

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