9th September 2024
South Devon College is collaborating with Next Steps South West (NSSW) and the University of Exeter in an initiative launched to help guide students on to higher education and university.
The Bridges to Higher Education (HE) initiative utilises the strong partnership between NSSW and FE colleges across the South West, and aims to promote and facilitate access to university for Level 3 students.
South Devon College is the only college in Devon running the initiative which starts during the Year 12 curriculum and runs throughout A level or Level 3 studies.
Students receive expert advice from NSSW on student finance, studying for degrees and degree apprenticeships, their post-18 options, and choosing a degree course.
University of Exeter students act as ambassadors and mentors, giving FE students an insight into university life. South Devon College students also visit the University of Exeter, attending taster lectures and sampling campus life.
This specialist support provides students with an understanding of the academic progression available to them and acts as both encouragement and motivation for further study.
The first Bridges to Higher Education event this term is on 24th September when there will be a workshop on UCAS applications with the second year students. Learners in Year 12 will then go on a campus visit to Exeter in October.
James McCauley, Head of Sixth Form at South Devon College, said: “The Bridges to HE initiative complements our own comprehensive programme of support and guidance which helps all our students to make highly informed decisions about their future studies. Our partnership with the University of Exeter ensures that our students have up to date understanding of how to make a competitive application and about the questions they should asking when selecting a course or university”
NSSW is funded by the Office for Students and is a collaboration of partner universities and colleges throughout Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. As part of the Office for Students’ Uni Connect Programme, NSSW helps young people and adult learners navigate to higher education via events and activities.
South Devon College’s quality FE provision ensures its students have a strong foundation on which to build when moving on to Higher Education. With ‘Outstanding’ provisions for Young People and Personal Development cited in its recent Ofsted report, the FE students have access to a diverse curriculum delivered by highly-qualified and experienced staff. With a host of extra-curricular opportunities on offer, including international trips, South Devon College students are well prepared to continue their educational journeys at university.
Alongside the collaboration with NSSW and the Bridges to Higher Education, South Devon College also has a close working relationship with the University of Plymouth, through its affiliation with the South Devon University Centre.
