Exeter College and University of Exeter Strengthen Education Partnership
The University of Exeter and Exeter College have signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), deepening their shared commitment to enhancing education across the region.
The agreement, formalised during a ceremony at the University’s Streatham Campus on Tuesday, June 3rd, marks the next chapter in a partnership spanning around 20 years between two of Devon’s leading educational institutions.
The renewed MoU strengthens a shared ambition to shape a dynamic and inclusive local education ecosystem, strengthening community wellbeing, and promoting regional development across Exeter and the wider region.
Exeter College Principal and CEO John Laramy CBE and University of Exeter President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts sign renewed Memorandum of Understanding with Deputy CEO Jade Otty and Professor Tim Quine.
Speaking after the ceremony Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter said: “I am delighted that the exceptional partnership between the University of Exeter and Exeter College has once again been strengthened through this new, updated Memorandum of Understanding.
This partnership has provided a strong, positive and successful foundation for both institutions to make a genuine and impactful difference not only in the provision of key opportunities for our students , but in providing important skills for our city and region as a whole.
“We are determined to use this opportunity to build on the successes and ambitions we have shared for a decade and more, and to work together to help create opportunity and regional growth.”
The MoU outlines a number of key areas for the partnership.
These include Acting as Education System Leaders through joint initiatives such as the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust, Exeter Mathematics School, and the South West Institute of Technology; Shaping the Community Together through the Exeter Civic University Agreement; and Driving Academic Excellence through complementary educational pathways.
Exeter College Principal and CEO, John Laramy CBE, added: “I am delighted to sign an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Exeter. We have worked together for over twenty years, and our partnership deepened nine years ago when we signed our first MOU.
“Today’s updated agreement reflects the shared ambition of the College and the University, placing our partnership at the forefront of higher and further education collaboration. It stands as an exemplar of a world-class university working with an outstanding college to help shape a clear, coherent, and impactful education ecosystem.
“I would like to thank Professor Lisa Roberts and her team for their collaborative approach, which is making a real difference to our community, city, and region.”
A talented Ukrainian teenager is celebrating academic success after fleeing war-torn Dnipro and having to leave behind his family following the Russian invasion.
Gherman Lovchynskyi (pictured below) moved to Exeter without his parents and younger brother in 2022.
Two years on he is preparing to become a university student in Exeter, the city he arrived in after leaving Dnipro.
The 19-year-old, who dreams of setting up his own fashion company, enrolled at Exeter College when he arrived in May 2022. After taking a BTEC Level 2 Business course he was inspired by conversations with other students to take an access to university diploma in business. This September he will enrol in a marketing degree at the University of Exeter.
Gherman’s father Dmtryi, an accountant, and mother Julia, are living in Dnipro with his younger brother Lev, 9.
Gherman said: “Despite the events of the past two years I’m ok. You have to keep going. I have plans for the future. I want to work in marketing in the fashion industry, hopefully setting up my own business where I would create a community of talented people to design for my own boutique.
“The pathway course was very useful in preparing me for university life, particularly the study skills needed.”
Gherman and other students took part in the Mature Access Pathway, run by the University of Exeter and Exeter College to provide access to specialist information and advice for those returning to education.
The pathway allows students to experience what university life is like and polish their study skills through workshops, talks, and on-campus activities. There is also access to academic staff, mentors, and current undergraduate students who have given information, advice, and guidance they need to make an informed decision about their future.
The course was set up after University of Exeter analysis showed mature students can lack confidence in applying to higher education and often prefer to study for a degree locally. The review showed the need for mature students to meet those in the same situation and to get targeted information about finances and life as an undergraduate.
It includes social events and advice about money and living matters. It also includes help on how to choose the right course. It forms part of the timetable of all Access to Higher Education students at Exeter College.
Billy Gelo (pictured above), from Torquay, who took part in the pathway, dropped out of sixth form and spent several years struggling with drug addiction. He tried to return to education four times and worked in hospitality and retail. Now 21 he worked as a bar supervisor while completing his Access to Business course. He has a place to study accountancy and business at the University of Bristol this year.
Billy said: “This year has been hard. The course has been the most work I’ve done in my life. The plan is to become an accountant and eventually open my own pub. I’m going to work part time while at university and have a year abroad in Italy and I’m hoping to spend time working in Europe.
“The pathway gave me really comprehensive advice which was really worth knowing.”
Written by Kerra Maddern.
New support for mature students helping them to make the next steps to education or work
New support for mature students across Devon is helping them to make the move on to university and new careers. Experts from the University of Exeter and Exeter College are working together to provide access to specialist information and advice.
The new Mature Access Pathway allows them to experience what university life is like and polish their study skills through workshops, talks, and on-campus activities. There is also access to academic staff, mentors, and current undergraduate students who have given information, advice, and guidance they need to make an informed decision about their future.
The course was set up after University of Exeter analysis showed mature students can lack confidence in applying to higher education and often prefer to study for a degree locally. The review showed the need for mature students to meet those in the same situation and to get targeted information about finances and life as an undergraduate.
The Mature Access Pathway, which was set up this academic year, includes social events and advice about money and living matters. It also includes help on how to choose the right course and study skills. It forms part of the timetable of all Access to Higher Education students at Exeter College.
During the first year 83 students took part in the pathway, which is led by Roisin Quinn, Student Access and Further Education Relationship Manager at the University of Exeter, Marianne Readman, Adult Learner Experience Manager on the Exeter College Partnership Board and Suzy Bell, Access to Higher Education lead at Exeter College.
So far 35 of those who took part applied to the University of Exeter and they were given a guaranteed contextual level offer. University of Exeter mature students get extra support, including an enhanced induction programme and access to mentors.
Ms Quinn said: “Our aim has been to increase progression to university from mature students in Devon– to many Higher Education institutes not just the University of Exeter. We provide support and information to support them to progress to many institutions and courses.
“We hope this will now be a key part of the support for mature students in the South West which will give them the confidence, knowledge and support to go on to higher education.”
Participants take part in face-to-face sessions at Exeter College and the University of Exeter where they get advice on applying for university, study skills such as reading, note-making and paraphrasing, researching, academic honesty and referencing, academic writing skills and higher education assessment.
Ms Readman said: “This opportunity to collaborate with a partner university to support our learners to achieve their ambitions is a fantastic addition to all of the hard work of Exeter College staff to ensure a great experience for all our Adult Learners.”
Ms Bell said: “It has been a pleasure to work closely with Roisin and the University of Exeter to create and launch the Mature Access Pathway. It has been such a success in terms of supporting students making the transition to university. It has also enabled students to further develop essential study skills, find out about the types of support available at university level, and receive additional guidance throughout the university application process.”
Kay Botham, 32, is studying Access to Business. She has applied for Business, Management and Marketing, and Accounting and Finance at University of Exeter. She hopes to go into an element of marketing such as publishing marketing or events. Before this Kay had been out of education since she was 19 and says the pathway has been “greatly beneficial”.
“It gives you that extra insight which gives you a push. Being able to sit in lectures created such a spark at the right time as I was doing my UCAS application at the time. It confirmed it was what I wanted to do.
“Meeting people at the University of Exeter and being able to ask them questions was helpful. A couple of them had progressed from the Access course last year and they were so knowledgeable. We have had some nice honest conversations with them.
“It’s stressful. I have 3 kids, I work, and I do this. But as soon as I said I wanted to go to the University of Exeter I felt like all my tutors at College rallied behind me to make it happen.”
Leon Hill is 23 and studying Access to Humanities (English Literature, History and Politics). They are hoping to study Film at Falmouth University.
Leon said: “I chose Exeter College because I had friends who came here when they were 16 and really enjoyed it. It’s been worth me making the journey from North Devon which is one of the reasons why I appreciate the programme being incorporated into the course, rather than an additional thing.
“I found the visit to University of Exeter really helpful in demystifying the uni experience. I appreciated being able to go and realise universities are not as scary as I had imagined. It was good to get a feel for how things may feel if I went there.
“Going back to studying has been a challenge, but it is not unreasonably difficult. It is manageable alongside other life commitments if you do pace yourself. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a very understanding, welcoming environment. It was a really good decision to come back into education and to do it at Exeter College.”
University Academic Announced as Patron of Exeter College
University of Exeter Vice Chancellor Sir Steve Smith has been announced as a Patron of Exeter College, becoming just the second person to be awarded the prestigious title.
Exeter College awards patronages in recognition of exceptional achievements of distinguished friends of the College and Sir Steve joins renowned Chef Michael Caines MBE in receiving the honour.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Exeter College over a number of years, and it plays a pivotal role not only in providing an exceptional educational experience for its students but also in the wider community,”
Sir Steve Smith, University of Exeter Vice Chancellor
Sir Steve has been instrumental in shaping the education landscape within Exeter and the wider region. Together, the University of Exeter and Exeter College are co-sponsors of both the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust and the Exeter Mathematics School. It is these partnerships and the relationship between the University and the College that has helped to make the education ecosystem within Exeter so clear, coherent and effective.
Sir Steve’s tenure as Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter has seen the University gain Russell Group status and consistently excel in national and international rankings of universities. His achievements since his appointment in 2002 have also seen him knighted in 2011 and made Freeman of the City of Exeter in 2019. Between 2009 and 2011 Sir Steve was President of Universities UK (UUK).
The announcement was officially made at Exeter College’s landmark 50th Anniversary Student Awards held in the stunning location of Exeter Cathedral in January.
Speaking after receiving the award, Sir Steve said, “I am delighted, and humbled, to have been given the honour of becoming a Patron of Exeter College.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Exeter College over a number of years, and it plays a pivotal role not only in providing an exceptional educational experience for its students but also in the wider community. Exeter already has a wonderful ethos of collaboration amongst its further and higher education institutions, and I am delighted to have this opportunity not just to help strengthen this further, but also to support the excellent work carried out at Exeter College in the coming years.”
As a Patron of Exeter College, Sir Steve has been formally recognised for his immense contributions to the region and education. The College, in turn, can benefit from his accumulated knowledge, his passion for education and his belief in the power of partnership.
Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive John Laramy, who has worked closely with Sir Steve and his team since joining the College 11 years ago, said, “We are thrilled that Sir Steve has agreed to become a Patron of Exeter College. His impact on the City of Exeter, the region and research-intensive education more widely, has been immense. We will benefit greatly from his wisdom and guidance in the years ahead, I am sure that Sir Steve’s ethos of partnership working and collaboration between higher education and further education is a blueprint for the future.
“Sir Steve has been an incredible advocate for the development of not just for the University, but for the wider community and has been a passionate supporter of Exeter College over the years.”
Exeter College’s Student Awards celebrated the exceptional students of Exeter College in a landmark event that also looked back on 50 years since being named as the UK’s first ever tertiary college. Inspirational students were recognised in a ceremony after a meal served in the nave of Exeter Cathedral.
[Photo: Sir Steve Smith is pictured with Exeter College Principal John Laramy, Chair of Governors David Allen OBE and student award winners at the Exeter College Student Awards in January 2020.]
