In 2019, South Devon College were re-accredited with the Matrix Award. This is for the effective delivery of impartial careers information, advice and guidance for applicants and current students.

In 2022, we were recognised for being successful in supporting student carers to access and remain in high quality education to enable them to realise their potential.

Beacon Award: Education for Sustainable Development

In 2022, we were recognised for how we embed sustainable practice into our curriculum so students can take this approach into their careers.

In 2023, South Devon University Centre has been re-accredited with the highest rating of ‘Gold’ under the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), a system for recognising excellent teaching and learning in higher education.

In 2022, we were recognised for delivering high quality end-point assessments for apprenticeships.

In 2022, South Devon College achieved 100% across all eight benchmarks, which are a framework for excellent career guidance.

We were nationally recognised for this award at the FE Week AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2020.

The Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce awarded us Workplace Wellbeing Award in 2020.

South Devon College won the ‘Best Digital/Tech Business’ category and were named ‘Outstanding Business of the Year’ at the 2019 South Devon Business Awards. The college was also “Highly Commended” in the “Apprenticeship Development” and “Employer of the Year” categories.

In May 2019, South Devon College was highlighted as the training provider of the year for delivering AAT (Accounting) qualifications. The Awards Ceremony celebrates the outstanding contributions of AAT training providers and students around the world.

Recognised by leading employers in the UK and around the world, AAT is the perfect qualification whether you’re just starting a career in finance, already working in industry or are looking to retrain in a new career.

South Devon College has a long and successful track record of developing curricula in partnership with local employers. In South Devon and Torbay, there is a growing hi-tech sector, with a cluster of businesses employing more than 1,000 people. South Devon College’s hi-tech and digital department is seen as a hub of innovation, supporting businesses with a host of new ideas and developments.

South Devon College was crowned winner of the ‘Food and Drink’ Category at the annual national Green Gown Awards 2016 for their innovative project ‘Samphire- What a Pickle’. Established in 2004, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK and Ireland as the education sector leads a path to efficiency, employability and better quality of life for us all.

South Devon College Marine Academy, based at Noss-On-Dart in Kingswear, won the award for Training and Development at the British Marine Awards Ceremony in London in March 2016. The award recognises the Marine Academy as a stimulating and supportive workplace with well-motivated, well-trained, ambitious and developed staff.

The College received the accreditation as a result of their exemplary careers education, information, advice and guidance. The quality standard was awarded following rigorous assessment.

The Investor in Careers quality standard is a framework that assesses the management of careers education and support. This relates directly to students’ awareness of career opportunities, as well as supporting them in achieving their goals and encouraging their career aspirations.

South Devon College worked in partnership with PETROC on an ESF funded NEET re-engagement project in 2014-15. The successful partnership helped engage young 16-18 year olds across Torbay and South Devon in innovative ways. The project over-exceeded its recruits and achieved 97% in both positive achievements and progressions.