Exeter College is celebrating adding another top quality accolade to its list of awards for teaching, learning and student support as the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has confirmed the quality and standards of provision at Exeter College following its review in April 2015.

A team of QAA reviewers visited Exeter College and judged that its academic standards, the quality and enhancement of its student learning opportunities, and the quality of information about its university level learning opportunities all meet UK expectations.

The higher education review particularly identified the comprehensive and consistent academic support for students that enables them to fulfil their potential as a feature of good practice, as well as the work of the college to ensure that its university level courses meet the needs of local, regional and national employers.

“We're very proud that our university level provision has been recognised nationally with this exceptional quality report,” said Julie Skinner, Assistant Principal.

“I'm particularly pleased that the QAA team noted that employability is a focus of Exeter College's provision at a strategic level, and that it is a priority within both the college’s strategic plan and the higher education strategy. “Ensuring that our university level programmes are relevant to individual student’s needs and the employment needs of the area is crucial and is reflected each year, as the report highlights, in very high employment success rates.”

“We are also delighted that the College is praised for the support we provide to our students and this reflects the feedback we get through their Learner Voice.!”

“Each year our university level students process through the city of Exeter to their graduation celebration in the Cathedral and this reports proves that we are right to be proud of the provision offered at Exeter College.”

QAA's Higher Education Reviews are carried out by experts from other universities and colleges. Every review team includes a student reviewer, because QAA believes that students should be partners in the quality assurance of their education.

The team that reviewed Exeter College included Elizabeth Shackels (South West College), Dr Philip Bassett (Glyndwr University) and Neil Mackenzie (student reviewer from the University of Leeds).

The QAA Quality Mark will now join the college’s Ofsted Outstanding Award, BTEC College of the Year and Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year – accolades all gained within the last 18months. In addition to these teaching, learning and assessment awards the college has gained additional national recognition with its support services.

In a glowing report the Matrix team praised the standard the information, advice and guidance provided to students before they start at the college and as they progress through their courses and training. The college’s information and learning services provision has also scooped a national award this year with their Grade 1 excellent award for its outstanding support for teaching and learning from the nindepenedent national watchdog ColRiC.