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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.  

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.  

  1. Register your interest 

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. 

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. 

Register here for our next all-college interactive online seminars: 

  • Wednesday 14th 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.  

  1. 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.  

  1. 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… 

  • Follow us on social media by searching @ExeterCollege 

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: 

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: 

  1. Request a School Leavers’ Course Guide 
  2. Register for an open event
  3. Apply online

Specialist Teachers and World Class Facilities building Exeter College’s Success

Since being named as the UK’s first ever tertiary college 50 years ago, we’ve built ourselves into the exceptional education provider we are today and are now ranked as the only Ofsted Outstanding College in Devon. 

We’ve managed to reach this prestigious position by putting students at the heart of everything we do. We know there’s nothing more impactful on a young person’s education than the environment they’re learning in and, of course, who’s teaching them.  

Subject Specialist Teachers

As a further education provider, our teachers differ to what you would find at a lot of sixth forms. Here, we pride ourselves on having subject specialist teachers. Unlike at school, our staff don’t teach across different subjects; they dedicate their time exclusively to the subject they teach in the classroom. 

This means that our students are taught by people who have a real passion for the topic that they teach. As a result, our students can fully develop their skills and explore their passion within a specific field, which links directly to their chosen further study or employment option.  
 
On top of this, our vocational subjects are taught by teachers who are still actively involved in their respective industries. This means they are constantly developing and updating their own skillset to pass on to the next generation of learners.   

Jade Otty, Vice Principal of Exeter College and lead on academic performance, believes our specialist teaching staff positively impacts our consistently impressive vocational and academic results.  

“Having specialist teachers is one of the cornerstones of what contributes to the outstanding education environment at Exeter College,” said Jade.  

“Students who study with us are choosing to learn from teachers who have a genuine passion for what they’re teaching and, more importantly, have the skills to transfer that knowledge to students in the classroom.  

“When a teacher chooses to work with us, they do so because they want to have their teaching time dedicated solely to a subject they love, and to supporting young people with that same passion succeeding with their ambitions. We’ve found that students really respond well to being taught by specialist teachers and appreciate the inside knowledge they can learn from teachers who are still involved in the industry.”  

Tom Matthew, A Level student studying Geography, Sociology and Politics, added, “The teachers have been really helpful. They always have their students’ best interests at heart and go over and above expectations.   

“My Geography teachers have experience with the exam board, and they are two of the best teachers I’ve had; their experience has been particularly useful to us.”  

World Class Facilities and Partnerships

We’re proud to offer subject specialist teaching, but we also know that this is only one of the features which has helped to make us into the Ofsted Outstanding provider we are today.  

Here at Exeter College, we offer all our students access to world class facilities and equipment in their chosen subject(s).  

To make sure our learners have the very best chance to enhance their education, all our students have access to eight Learning Resources Centres, complete with IT labs and Mac suites. 

Additionally, we have specialist campuses for different subjects. Through this, we ensure that we are providing our learners with industry standard-facilities, ranging from construction to media production.  

The Centre for Creative Industries is home to a range of cutting-edge equipment and software. It also gives students access to the space they need to hone their skills in media, drama, art or photography, as they transform their academic studies into creative practice.  

Our Maths and Science Centre, which opened in 2015, holds 11 purpose-build laboratories. These are all designed to the highest specifications, providing a space for inspirational teaching and learning.  

Likewise, our Technology Centre offers students the latest technical software used in the industry. We’re also currently investing in our Construction Centre by way of a new state-of-the-art mezzanine which, from September, will host the new T Level qualifications.  

Our Digital and Data Centre is also currently under construction. When complete, this will form part of the wider South West Institute of Technology plan, aiming to transform engineering, digital and manufacturing technology in Devon. Opening early 2021, the Centre will provide learners with educational opportunities in the digital field. This will include courses around software development, data analytics and cyber security.  

On top of this, our college also works in partnership with leading regional and national businesses and sports teams. This month we announced our newest collaboration, as the BBC is set to open a new studio in our Centre of Creative Industries. All our partnerships provide students with the opportunities to continually achieve their educational goals and even develop beyond the curriculum.  

We are currently planning for the enrolment of the new students due to start in September 2020. 

It’s not too late to apply online to study with us for the September start. Once the requested documents have been submitted and reviewed, all students will be given a conditional offer.

Why Flying Start is the best introduction to studying at Exeter College

We recently launched Chapter One of our Flying Start  scheme of work, introducing our next generation of students to the subjects they’ve chosen to study with us.  

All full-time school leaver courses with Exeter College now have a suite of exciting pre-enrolment learning content. Designed by subject leaders, Flying Start gives our future students the best possible start to learning with Exeter College from September 2020.

Although not compulsory, Flying Start gives new students an insight into their future education and prepares them for learning at the next level.  

Here’s why we think Flying Start is the best way to settle into Exeter College… 

It gets you prepared 

Your subject leaders have created a range of engaging tasks, introducing you to your education at Exeter College.  

These activities are designed to help and support you to think at a college level. Each course is different and offers a range of tasks; from subject-based exercises to useful shows to watch, brainteasers to suggested research that you might want to complete before enrolment.  

In the past students have found Flying Start incredibly helpful. Understanding the course structure while developing subject knowledge and skills can help to improve your confidence before you start with us in September.   

Specialise in your subject  

Our Flying Start programme has tailored tasks to each course, allowing you to find out more about the curriculum. If you didn’t study your subject at GCSE level, these exercises are especially beneficial in supporting your transition to a subject that’s new to you.  

If you have previously studied your subject, these tasks allow you to think deeply about your studies. It will also prepare for the change from school to college.  

Additionally, Flying Start can help to answer a lot of the questions you may have about the course content. This can help to make you feel extra prepared when you take on those first few weeks at College.  

Think about your subject in a different way  

Not only does Flying Start offer a range of exciting introductory tasks, but it also allows you to explore questions related to your subject – igniting new interests in your studies.  

This programme is all about exploring your initial ideas. Although formal marking won’t take place, tasks will be discussed in initial lessons, so you should bring along what you have done over the summer. This can also be beneficial as you find out how your peers have responded to the activities; allowing you to expand further on your knowledge as you see different answers and viewpoints.  

Explore your options 

Not sure what you want to study yet? We don’t expect you to have everything figured out, that’s why we’re making all subjects available for you to try out via Flying Start. Apply now and we will give you access to all course types and subjects. If you decide later on that you don’t think you’ve picked the right course, don’t panic! Get in touch and we can discuss your options.

Flying Start is for all school leavers with a conditional offer to study a full-time Level 2 or Level 3 course with us in 2020. If you’re thinking of studying with us and would like to take engage with Flying Start, apply now for a September start. We will email Chapter One content to you once your offer has been confirmed. Chapter Two will launch around the May half term. 

Exeter College Launches Personal Development Programme for Students

Exeter College has celebrated the new academic year by enhancing their tutorial system with a Personal Development Programme designed to further develop a whole person approach to learning with the College.

At a time when tutorial sessions are increasingly under pressure at many schools and colleges throughout the country, Exeter College has made a commitment to further improve the provision available for the individual progress of each student studying with the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ education provider.

“The rationale behind the Personal Development Programme is that we provide a real focus on the holistic nature of education and get students thinking about their own long term progression,”

Dee Rowett, Project Manager for Teaching, Learning and Performance

The new Personal Development Programme has been launched for students at the College at the start of this academic year and the scheme aims to look more deeply in to the long term progression and wellbeing of all those studying at the College as well as help students engage with activities around citizenship, equality and the environment, among others.

The Project Manager for Teaching, Learning and Performance at Exeter College Dee Rowett is delighted with how the new programme has been taking shape for the benefit of students.

“It’s great for us to be able to enhance our tutorial system in this way,” said Dee.

“The rationale behind the Personal Development Programme is that we provide a real focus on the holistic nature of education and get students thinking about their own long term progression and destination as well as helping to engage students in key themes throughout the year.”

In addition to building skills to help students’ engagement with learning, pupils at Exeter College will also learn about different topics throughout the academic calendar.

Dee said, “The really nice thing about the Personal Development Programme is that it’s precisely that – personal. Students get something that is quite bespoke to them. Of course, there will be whole group sessions that are led by their tutor but students also get access to one-on-one sessions and they are encouraged to monitor and track their progress via their Personal Development Log.

“It’s about creating an environment where students participate in the creation of learning. These sessions won’t be teachers dictating the content; they will be interacting with students and working together on how the themes they’re looking at can apply to work they’re putting in.”

Despite having a large focus on the personal development and wellbeing of students, Dee is confident that the sessions will also positively impact academic performance.

“Getting this time with tutors is also about making sure everyone is on track with their studies. In many ways this programme is about underpinning the fundamentals around teaching and learning while also making sure there’s a space for students to have good conversations with their teacher about their wider college experience.”

Your College, Your Citizenship

As part of the Personal Development Programme, Exeter College students have been exploring the idea of citizenship, sustainability and the environment over the last few weeks. Students have been learning about the values and ideas that underpin society and have even been raising money for charities and volunteering for local initiatives.

Students have been exploring their own ways of interacting with citizenship, with music students using citizenship as a launch point to write their own songs as well as perform some jazz improvisation.

Travel and tourism students used the opportunity of exploring citizenship to volunteer with Farmwise Devon, an organisation that helps educate children on where their food comes from and how the farming industry works.

Performing arts students decided to perform monologues, songs and dance pieces that centred around the idea of citizenship.

A particular focus for many students across the College has been the relationship between citizenship and the environment. Students have been reviewing the College’s sustainability priorities and will be sharing their thoughts on what they consider to be their priorities in the next ‘Learner Voice Conference’ with Principal John Laramy.

The next topic Exeter College students will be exploring as part of the Personal Development Programme will be equality, diversity and British values.

Galliford Try Partnerships First to Benefit from Employer Fund for T Levels

Leading regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships is the first to benefit from a government-backed initiative to encourage employers to provide valuable industry placements to T Level students.  

The FTSE 250 business has partnered with Exeter College to provide industry placements to T Level construction students studying with the College from 2020. 

T Levels mark a revolution in the provision of technical education for the UK and Exeter College have been selected as an ‘early adopter’ of the new qualifications. The aim is to provide students with the technical skills required to move in to employment, providing a true insight into life in the industry, while still providing UCAS points to support an application to study at university. 

Exeter College is the only provider in Devon selected to deliver T Levels for 2020 entry, with full-time, two year courses available in Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare. By signing up to take on T Level students, Galliford Try Partnerships have agreed to provide industry placements for construction students for 45 days over a two-year period and will receive a £750 grant per student from the government to help facilitate the placements. 

Galliford Try Partnerships have previously worked with Exeter College offering work experience placements and are looking forward to a more formal arrangement thanks to the new T Level qualifications.  

Charlotte Olver, Development and Communities Manager commented; “We are eager to work with colleges to deliver T Levels for the learners of today, it gives us the opportunity to build, shape and mould young people and prepare them for work in the industry. 

“T Levels promote the variety of careers available within construction and break down stereotypes of the onsite world and we can set aside time and space to help students grow while also getting them working in an industry they’re interested in. 

“Our partnership with Exeter College provides the perfect platform to address the industry skills shortage and encourage students to enter the industry. 

“We’ve been delighted with the calibre of students that have joined us in the past, and what’s exciting for me is that you get access to people who are eager to learn and can genuinely provide a great resource to businesses. 

“The funding from the government will ensure that we can put in place excellent resources to help the students with us make the most out of their experience.”  

T Levels are being launched at selected providers like Exeter College in 2020 before a national rollout the following year, when Exeter College will be offering a wide variety of courses with a view of providing students a direct line of sight to industry following their studies. 

Exeter College Assistant Principal Sam Hillman, who is leading on the college’s T Level delivery, was delighted Galliford Try Partnerships volunteered to take on students studying the Construction T Level and be the first to access the money available to employers who provide industry placements. 

“It’s great that our students will have access to such a proactive and forward-thinking construction company like Galliford Try Partnerships,” said Sam.  

“It’s vitally important for us to be able to offer students valuable industry placements that are meaningful, worthwhile and full of learning opportunities. I’m certain that’s exactly what our students at Galliford Try Partnerships will get and I can’t wait to see the progress they make in the construction business. 

“I firmly believe the experience will be a positive one, not just for students, but for businesses themselves that want to be involved with T Levels. Businesses will get access to enthusiastic students who genuinely want to progress in the industry and learn as much as they can as well as provide a tangible contribution to the company.” 

Adam McIntyre did a work placement with Galliford Try Partnerships during his Level 3 course Construction and the Built Environment, immersing himself in different areas of the business to learn which part of the construction industry he was most interested in.  

Adam said, “It has definitely been a great experience for me. The staff at Galliford Try Partnerships have helped me out a lot, not just with industry experience but also with my coursework and assignments at college. 

“I did some work in the office learning about the pre-build processes that take place at a company like this. I then went and did some on-site work, learning more on how a professional construction site works and getting a feel for the industry. 

“I knew I was interested in the health and safety side of things but my placement with Galliford Try Partnerships has really helped to confirm that I want to go that way in terms of my career. I went around sites with an expert and learnt about what they look out for when it comes to the safety aspects of a construction site.” 

Adam is set to build on his expertise as he enters his second year at Exeter College, as he gears up to undertake 300 hours of an industry placement with Galliford Try Partnerships in the current academic year.  

Exeter College is actively seeking employers willing to provide industry placements to T Level Students on Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare courses. Those interested should contact Alison Brown on alisonbrown@exe-coll.ac.uk.  

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