Community at the heart of Exeter College’s offer to adult learners

Exeter College’s place at the centre of the community has been a core part of its mission since being named as the UK’s first-ever tertiary college 50 years ago. As part of this aim to help local people, the college not only provides exceptional learning opportunities for the region’s school leavers, but also for adult learners looking to upskill or change their career.

In these uncertain times, that provision for adults has never been more important. Exeter College provides an incredible variety of courses to the region’s would-be adult learners. Adults could choose to gain their GCSE English and Maths, take part in full degree level studies or study one of nearly 100 professional courses designed to be applied directly to the workplace.

With university-level provision rated ‘Gold’ by the Teaching Excellence Framework and a commitment to smaller class sizes on accredited university courses with Exeter College, adults in the region have all the support they need to take that first step to a more fulfilling career. 

Director of Adult and Higher Education at Exeter College Lucinda Sanders hopes that the education opportunities in Exeter can help the community through this current crisis, providing adults with the tools needed to develop in their career of choice.

“We understand that the current climate has created a lot of uncertainty and worry for our community. However, uncertain times are often an opportunity to embrace change and we at Exeter College are here to support the community in these times,” said Lucinda.

“A lot of adults will be wondering how they can use this time to progress in their career and that has always been the focus of the adult courses we offer at Exeter College. It’s about giving people the skills and knowledge they need to apply directly to industry or further study.”

With the wide variety of courses on offer at Exeter College, there are options for all adult learners considering how education can help them take that next step in their career. Many courses can even fit in around existing work commitments, and learners are supported through the whole process by subject lecturers who help people to achieve their individual goals.

Lucinda continued: “Gaining the knowledge and skills needed to progress in your career doesn’t have to be a stressful process. We have a history of supporting adults with a wide range of ambitions and experience to get what they want out of education in a way that suits them.

“Gaining practical, career-focused skills can be just the ticket someone might need to accelerate them into their chosen career. We’ve helped hundreds of adults on the path to their dream job, and that’s what motivates us as a local college.”

In addition to a range of professional courses developed specifically to help people into the workplace, Exeter College also offers hugely popular Access to University courses. These provide adults without formal qualifications with the skills and, most importantly, the qualifications to succeed in making an application to universities throughout the country. These year-long, full time, courses can help adults who previously felt they couldn’t study at university level gain background subject knowledge as well as develop the study skills required to be a successful degree level student.

Funding support is available at various levels for adult learners. Advanced Learner Loans can provide a study now, pay later method of finance, and the Government makes some funding available to support adult learners, without recognised qualifications, to achieve a qualification. 

In addition, adults who come from a household with a combined income below £50,000 could be eligible for the additional Bursary Funding which provides financial support for supplementary costs around travel, trips and other unavoidable expenses. Adults with a household income of below £35,000 could also be eligible for funding to cover course fees.

“The barriers for adults considering returning to education are melting away with the various funding support available,” said Lucinda. 

“Some adults are eligible for government funding and aren’t even aware of it. Those from low-income households, or needing help with childcare and transport costs, could be eligible for financial support, and Advanced Learner Loans can help adults with a learn now, pay later, method.

“The truth is that there’s so many options out there for adults to retrain, reskill and progress that sometimes the best investment really is in yourself.”

Next steps

Exeter College is hosting an Adult Online Open Event on Tuesday 16th June, 3-7pm, for anyone interested in starting with the Ofsted Outstanding College as an adult learner. Whether you’re interested in higher education, Access to HE, GCSE English and Maths, a professional qualification or training accountancy, all potential adult learners are welcome to attend and find out how to unlock their future in an exceptional education environment. 

Live online seminars will show learners everything they need to know about studying with Exeter College, and there will be opportunities to have questions answered live as part of the sessions. 

Advice and guidance will also be available with the College’s expert Adult Advisers being able to guide which course might be right for learners as well as help with any queries on finance, travel and funding eligibility. 

Register now to receive your personalised guide to the Adult Online Open Event. 

Contact the College’s Adult Advisers now with any queries on AdultAdvice@exe-coll.ac.uk.