Exeter College Celebrates Class of 2024 with Procession to Exeter Cathedral

At the end of October, over 160 Exeter College graduates processed down Exeter High Street to the beautiful Exeter Cathedral in glorious autumn sunshine. This special occasion marked the end of their journey with Exeter College and the beginning of their exciting next steps.

Exeter College offers a variety of Higher Technical Education programmes, including Foundation Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, HNCs, HNDs and Higher Level Apprenticeships. Working closely with prestigious partners such as the University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University, Kingston University, and CMI, the College is able to offer courses on a range of desirable subjects.

John Laramy CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Exeter College said;

“I would like to thank all the graduates for their contribution to the Higher Education community at Exeter College and congratulate them for their success, which is marked by today’s milestone event.

“Today was made extra special, as our graduates heard some inspirational words from Dr Andrew Roe CB, the new Rector of the slightly older Exeter College in Oxford. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to share this special day with graduates’ families and friends. Congratulations again to the class of 2024 and all the very best for the future.”

Speaking to our graduates, Dr Andrew Roe CB, Rector of Exeter College at the University of Oxford said;

“I congratulate today’s graduates and their teachers on a job extremely well done. To work at the level required by the examining bodies and to meet Exeter College’s exacting values requires commitment, application and – no doubt – endurance.

“The qualities that you have all displayed to achieve your academic goals will be the same as you require in life, particularly in employment, to meet the complex demands of the ever-changing world in which we live.

“But it is rare for students to succeed alone, and in many cases your families and friends have played a vital support role over the past months and years. To those friends and family members, you also deserve recognition and praise, and my sincere thanks go to you also.”

A group of graduates celebrate outside Exeter Cathedral — Graduates from the BA Business Management course.

BA Business Management Graduate, Michael Dalton, (pictured above, far left) is excited for the future. Speaking about his experience, he said;

“It’s been a journey of 3 years to get to this point, and it’s nice that I’m finally at the point that I can say I’ve done it, I’m at the end. I can’t wait for that moment to throw my cap up, I’m just so full of excitement and excitement for the what the future holds.

“Some of the opportunities that I’ve had whilst I’ve been at the College, I wouldn’t have been able to get without my tutors help so I’m very grateful to them for all the time and effort they have shared with us and the help they have given to get us to this point.”

A female mature graduate smiles at the camera

Heather Darracott (pictured above) studied the Level 5 HR Consultant/Partner Apprenticeship shared her pride in achieving this goal.

“For 3 years, I’ve travelled up and down from Holsworthy and had fantastic support from my tutor. From start to finish it was just brilliant. Since starting the course I have been promoted and have been applying what I have learnt in the classroom.

“My children are older now and have left home so this was a chance to do something for me and to have a second career. I’ve been to both their graduations so to do it myself is incredibly rewarding.”

Graduates from the FdA Football Coaching and Development course.

Matt Rowe (pictured above, far left), from Seaton, studied the Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development. He balanced his studies with a job and is now completing an optional third year at Plymouth Marjon with the hope of teaching PE in the future.

“As someone who came from A Levels and from not doing anything sport related in 2 years, it was all very different, but my tutor was great at helping me adjust and seeing us through to the end as well which was fantastic.

“Today it’s just great to see all my friends from the course and our lecturers as well. I never thought I would be here really. I nearly didn’t go to university at all, so now I’m here it’s a great achievement.”

Exeter College extends its congratulations to all graduates and wishes them continued success.

Prospective students can learn more about university level programmes at our upcoming Open Event on Wednesday 20 November.

Exeter College Launches New Foundation Degree to Support Professionals into the NHS

Exeter College is excited to be partnering, once again, with Plymouth Marjon University, to support the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

From September 2024 the College is planning to deliver the FdSc Assistant Practitioner to provide well-trained and competent staff for a range of healthcare roles.

If you are looking for a non-traditional career pathway to start you on the route to registered professional occupations such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or radiography, then this Foundation Degree is an excellent starting point.

Donna Lucas, a Programme Leader in the Faculty of Healthcare at Exeter College said;

“This educational base creates a platform for greater knowledge, opportunity and capability in the clinical setting, in comparison to Healthcare Assistants, who do not undergo this formal training.

“An Assistant Practitioner role is bridging the healthcare skills gap. It is a cross-disciplinary role, that works directly under a senior member of staff, such as a nurse, physiotherapist, midwife or occupational therapist, and is a highly skilled member of the team. It is a band 4 post on the Agenda for Change framework, which works across professional boundaries, in a range of settings, such as hospitals, GP surgeries, prisons or in the community.”

What will you be taught?

As part of the programme, you can choose specialist pathways aligned to roles across the health and care sector. The programme offers an inter-professional learning experience, meaning you will learn from and across different professional roles giving you a holistic view of the patient experience.

Module examples include but are not limited to;

Introduction to Clinical Skills
Anatomy and Physiology
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Communication and Working in Teams
Research in Evidence Based Practice
Leading and Integrating Care
Pathophysiology for Healthcare

What could it lead on to?

On successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply for roles as an Assistant Practitioner (NHS Band 4). You could work in hospitals, clinics or in the community such as in GP surgeries or visiting patients in their home. You may also choose to progress to a full degree in Nursing or other Allied Health Professions.

For further information on entry requirements and fees please see the FdSc Assistant Practitioner course page.

Ready to apply?

You can apply online now by clicking the pink apply button on the course page.

Want to speak to someone?

If you have any questions about the course, please do not hesitate to contact our Adult Advice Team on adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk or call 01392 400170. Alternatively, if you are a current student, you can pop into the Adult Advice Hub on the ground floor of the Digital and Data Centre during term time. The Hub is open 9am-9pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-4pm Friday.

Exeter College Celebrates as Class of 2023 Triumphantly Graduates

On Friday 20 October, over 250 graduates from Exeter College proudly processed to Exeter Cathedral in an important rite of passage as they completed their degree at Exeter College. Students graduated from a wide range of programmes including Manufacturing Engineering, Early Childhood Studies, Coaching and Fitness, the AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting and Management and Leadership.

Exeter College is proud to run its Higher Education in partnership with four universities and two awarding bodies. This year, the University of Exeter, Kingston University, University of Plymouth, and Plymouth Marjon University, were all rated as Gold in the teaching excellence framework (TEF). Exeter, Plymouth and Kingston join a club of just 11% of HE providers to score triple gold. This commitment to excellence is passed on through our own teaching and learning and student experience which Higher Education students benefit from.

Two students smile at the camera in their graduation robes.

Higher Education at the College has had an exceptional year. The College reshaped and renewed its offer, with a focus on Higher Technical Education and became the first college in England to have a course kite marked as meeting the higher technical standard.

John Laramy CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Exeter College said;

“This graduation ceremony is a significant milestone for our Higher Education students, being able to celebrate their success in the historic setting of Exeter Cathedral makes this an absolute highlight of our academic year.

“The dedication and hard work required to achieve a higher education qualification, often while working, means that today marks a huge accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of all their achievements, and we wish them all the best for their future endeavours.”

This year’s guest of honour was College alumni, Ben Page, Chief Executive of Ipsos. Ben completed his A Levels at Exeter College, then graduated from Oxford University in 1986. A frequent writer and speaker on trends, leadership and performance management, Ben has directed thousands of surveys examining consumer trends and citizen behaviour. He said;

“It was great to see how Exeter College had developed since I studied there in the 1980s – it’s a different world.

“I was very impressed by both the breadth and range of what is now on offer for students and business – and its strong partnerships with other local institutions and impact on the local economy, as well as on social mobility across the South West.”

This year’s Exeter College Award was awarded to Hazel Robson who has just graduated from the FdA in Early Childhood Studies. This award goes to the person who embodies what it is to be a higher education student at Exeter College. Outstanding achievements, overcoming hardship, resilience, and being proactive in supporting peers are all qualities that Hazel has shown during her time with the College.

Her tutor at Exeter College, Claire Tully, said;

“Hazel takes her studies very seriously and has juggled her time very well as a mature student, looking after her family and working part time in an early years setting. She has demonstrated a resilient mindset and although there have been times of struggle, she has worked hard to overcome these. She is passionate about the care and wellbeing of young children and indeed of early years professionals too.”

Two students smile at the camera in graduation gowns

Nicola Hunter and Emma Jarvis (pictured above) studied the HNC in Building Services. Emma Jarvis (right) has now progressed onto a degree at Bristol University and then hopes to do a Masters Degree in Building Services. She said;

“It’s a relief to graduate, it was a long journey but it’s good to finish it. Meeting other people in the industry was nice, we’ve got contacts now to help us in the future.” Nicola (left) added;

“I’ve gone onto Level 5 in Operations Management and going into Health and Safety and will probably do Level 6 next. We’ve had great teachers, really supportive, I would highly recommend it.”

Stewart smiles at the camera in his graduation gown

Stewart Mead (pictured above) studied the Level 4 Apprenticeship in Associate Project Management. He is an Engineering Project Manager for Premier Foods, mainly working at Ambrosia, where he has been for 19 years. Speaking about his College experience, he said;

“I am already a project manager so it’s an extension of my role and I wanted the professional credentials for what I already do.

“I would recommend it – you do have to dedicate a lot of time to it, it’s not always easy, but if your team is supportive, you will get through it. I have already applied a lot of the skills I have learnt.

“I’m delighted to be at graduation today, all the hard work has paid off for this moment and I’m excited to take what I have learnt into the future. It’s been supportive from the College and my tutor kept me on track, all in all, it’s been a very good experience.

“I also won ‘Most Inspiring’ at the Apprenticeship Awards which was a pretty big thing for me, I wasn’t expecting it, but it was the cherry on top for all the hard work.”

Emma smiles at the camera in her graduation gown.

Emma Collingwood (pictured above) studied the Diploma in Counselling after progressing from the Certificate in Counselling. She is now doing voluntary counselling for a local charity.

“I think you think of the College as something for younger people, I didn’t realise how much there is for adults and the number of different courses and the standard of the courses that they offer.

“It was brilliant, I couldn’t imagine that it would have such an impact. This really changes your life, especially with Counselling, everyone came out slightly differently to how we went in. The tutors were amazing, very different in how they work but it complimented each other. I feel lucky that we had them.”

Find out more about Higher Technical Education at Exeter College at the next Open Event on Wednesday 22 November.