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:
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?
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.
Follow our three easy steps to becoming an Exeter College student:
Top Marks for First Graduate of Exeter College’s Data Analyst Apprenticeship
Exeter College’s cutting-edge Data Analyst Apprenticeship department is celebrating as the first student to have completed the course has achieved a Distinction grade for her efforts.
Liz Houihane, 24, has been part of the first cohort of Exeter College learners studying on a Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship and has been the first student to complete her end-point assessment; achieving the highest possible grade classification.
“After completing university, I felt like I was done with that kind of learning. I wanted to get out there and achieve things in the workplace,”
Liz Hourihane, Former Data Analyst Apprentice
The two year course teaches learners how to
become assets in any industry, with data analytics skills fit for the workplace
of the future. Students are taught how to collect and interpret data to provide
businesses with meaningful takeaways to improve performance.
Liz is the first of a number of students
who will be completing the course in the coming months and completed her
Apprenticeship with the Met Office while studying at the College one day a
week.
Having already completed a degree in
Psychology with the University of York, Liz decided she wanted to use some of
the analytics skills from her degree in a different way, and that led her to
Exeter College.
“When I finished my degree, I knew I wanted
to work in a slightly different field. I still loved psychology, but I wanted
to use some of those skills in a different way,” said Liz.
“I knew I was interested in science and
statistics, and that’s where I wanted my career to be. I thought this course
would be a good option for that. It has actually turned out to be a lot more
suited to my interests than I first realised.”
The Data Analyst Apprenticeship, which is proving to be popular with learners of all ages, sees students earn while they learn, with valuable work-based learning topping up the skills learnt in the classroom. Liz thinks the mix of learning styles helped her develop her skills.
Liz continued: “I learnt a lot of things in
College that has been incredibly valuable about how I have gone about doing the
job with the Met Office. The statistics side of things has especially helped
me, and I’ve gained a lot more knowledge out of that area than I thought I
would. That knowledge has all helped me in the workplace on several different
projects.
“I also found it beneficial to have
classmates at College who were doing the same job in different organisations.
That gave me different perspectives and a more rounded view of how other places
were using data analytics in their business.”
While working with the Met Office, Liz got
the chance to be a part of various teams within the nationally leading
organisation. Her analytics skills were put to task on different projects,
including the science behind a meteorological observation, the technical side
of the business and with marketing projects.
“I learnt a lot of new skills at the Met
Office, backing up what I was doing in College,” said Liz, who now secured full
time employment as a Data Analyst with an economics consultancy business in
London.
“I was supported in the role by the
College. We had monthly reviews, where my Skills Officer at College would visit
me at work and check on my wellbeing and progression since the last meeting. My
line manager at the Met Office would come along too, so that we all knew what I
was doing and how I was getting on.”
Liz believes that more businesses are
switching on to the power of data, with improved technology leading the charge
for even small companies to make the most out of the data at their fingertips.
“Personally, I think previously a lot of
businesses weren’t sure how to use someone who called themselves a data
analyst,” said Liz.
“But with advancements in technology
helping people make sense of it, most organisations now have data available to
them; they’re just not always sure how to use it. The fact that businesses can
have that capability to access data, in all its forms, means that people
recognise the value of data analytics to improve business performance. There’s
still a long way to go in terms of places understanding what this discipline is
and how it can be fully utilised, but it’s definitely improving.”
Liz also reflected on her Apprenticeship
route into the industry, having previously completed a degree.
She said, “After completing university, I
felt like I was done with that kind of learning. I wanted to get out there and
achieve things in the workplace. I also wanted to earn money and support
myself, and this course was a great way of doing that.”
Liz’s Skills Officer Darren Stevens paid
tribute to the work ethic of Liz on the course. He said, “Liz has been fully engaged
with the Apprenticeship from the beginning and has never been afraid to ask the
difficult questions.
“She has taken the lead on projects within
the Met Office and presented data and recommendations at senior level and to
clients. It is a pleasure to see her achieve the award she clearly deserved.”
Find out more about the new Digital and Data Centre which is being built at Exeter College as part of the South West Institute of Technology.
Exeter College Students Recognised at 2020 BTEC Awards
Five inspirational Exeter College BTEC students have been recognised at the prestigious Pearson BTEC Awards.
Cain Spiller, from Honiton, received a Silver Award, while Alex Dixon, Rachel Hamilton, Cleopatra Gatting, and Tinka Dos Santos all received bronze awards in their respective categories, recognising their exceptional work during their programme of study.
Their hard work was celebrated at the tenth anniversary of Pearson’s annual BTEC Awards hosted online in the last few weeks.
The 2020 BTEC Awards comprised of 17 categories and was hosted by the presenter of the United Stand, YouTube influencer and BTEC Ambassador, Flex, with awards presented by Double Olympic Gold medallist Max Whitlock as well as actress and former BTEC Drama student at The BRIT School, Kellie Shirley. The expert panel of judges made up of Pearson’s senior leadership team, journalists and external experts, carefully considered the nominees before deciding on the winners.
19-year-old Cain Spiller, who won a Silver Award for Public Services Student of the Year, said, “When I was awarded the BTEC Award, I was filled with excitement and pride. It stood as a reminder to me that all the hard work I had put into my course had paid off and was recognised.”
Cain also thanked his teachers for their support during his studies saying, “All my tutors went above and beyond to help me gain the skills I needed to become a police officer. They would keep me up to date on all training days and recruitment and have given me the best possible chance of getting into the police service.”
Rachel Hamilton, 17, from Holsworthy, achieved the Bronze Award in BTEC Child & Social Care Learner of the Year. She said, “I was honestly surprised that I was nominated, let alone won Bronze, so I was incredibly shocked. I would like to thank Kelvin Edwards for nominating me, and all of the teachers who have helped me over the past two years.”
Exeter College’s Head of Healthcare and Public Services Heidi Amor said, “We’re incredibly proud of Cain and Rachel’s achievements. They’ve both shown a remarkable commitment to their studies throughout their time with us.
“Cain has been a true champion of his course and is always looking at how his studies can push him further in his career aspirations.
“Rachel has been an amazing learner during her studies, constantly pushing herself to be the best she can be and learning new skills all the time. She thoroughly deserves this award and is sure to be a success in her future career.”
Alex Dixon, 28, from Tiverton, was awarded a Bronze Award for BTEC Engineering Learner of the Year. Alex said, “I was thrilled, and if I’m honest, surprised to see that I had received a Bronze Award for Engineering Student of the Year. However, I can’t take all the credit; this is an amalgamation of effort not just by me but from my lecturers at Exeter College as well who have helped me reach my potential and deserve half of this award.”
Andy Wells, Head of Engineering, Aerospace and Automotive at Exeter College, said, “We’re incredibly proud of Alex’s achievements. He’s a fantastic role model for what can be achieved with hard work, endeavour and a selfless attitude. He’s a truly exceptional ambassador for engineering Apprenticeships and has already achieved so much throughout his studies. Alex is already excelling in his chosen career; he is an innovator, and I can’t wait to see where his efforts take him next.”
Alex’s latest accolade follows on from him being named as a Green Gown Award winner in 2018, recognising his work around sustainability.
Two of Exeter College’s Construction students won Bronze Awards, as Cleopatra Gatting and Tinka Dos Santos were recognised in the BTEC Construction Student of the Year category.
Chulmleigh-based Cleopatra, who studied her Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment with Exeter College, said, “It felt amazing to win the award and to be recognised for my hard work.
“The College has been great in supporting me throughout my course, and I was honoured that they nominated me for this award.”
Tinka Dos Santos, 41, said, “It felt great to be acknowledged for the hard work I had put in; it can be tough working, studying and maintaining a balanced family life.
“I really enjoyed studying at Exeter College, I was sorry to leave, all the tutors and assessors were so supportive, and I wouldn’t have done so well if it wasn’t for their help.”
Exeter College Head of Construction Dave O’Connor said, “As a department, we’re thrilled to have two students recognised at the BTEC Awards. It’s a huge testament to the character and commitment both students have shown during their studies, and I’m sure they’ll both go on to achieve incredible things.”
Reflecting on the online event as a whole, Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President BTEC and Apprenticeship, said: “This year I’ve been overwhelmed by the quality of BTEC Award nominations we received, and I am delighted to celebrate this year’s winners and the achievements of all learners who will be awarded a BTEC this year. Over the past few weeks and months, we’ve seen how the current pandemic has highlighted the critical role of key workers and individuals who are likely to have followed a vocational educational pathway such as BTEC.”
