Courses

University Centre South Devon is a dynamic and unique higher education provider serving Torbay and South Devon. As an empowered institution we offer both standalone and University of Plymouth-validated undergraduate and foundation degree programmes. 

Teaching Excellence 

The University Centre proudly holds the top TEF Gold rating in the national Teaching Excellence Framework, recognising outstanding teaching quality, student outcomes, and overall experience. 

Facilities Designed for Success 

We foster innovation and research collaborations, ensuring students gain hands-on experience in real-world projects, utilising the multi-disciplinary Student Innovation Research Centre alongside the state-of-the-art Hi-Tech & Digital Centre, equipped with industry-standard resources.  

At University Centre South Devon, our Audiology Department offers a dynamic and supportive environment if you’re pursuing careers in audiology and hearing aid dispensing. Our purpose-built facilities and strong employer partnerships ensure that you gain the hands-on experience and clinical knowledge you’ll need to thrive in this growing healthcare field. 

State-of-the-Art Clinical Studio 

Our department features a dedicated Clinical Studio, designed to mirror real-world clinical environments. This space supports the development of essential clinical competencies in a safe and supervised setting, helping students gain confidence and proficiency in the practical elements of audiological care.  

Hands-On Training and Practical Skills 

These practical experiences are integrated into the curriculum to ensure that you not only meet academic requirements but are also fully prepared for clinical placements and future employment. 

Strong Employer Collaborations 

The University Centre maintains strong partnerships with leading employers, including Specsavers, providing you with unique opportunities for real-world learning and employment after graduation. These collaborations enhance the learning experience and ensure that our programmes are aligned with current industry standards and expectations. 

Our Immersive Cave is a cutting-edge learning space that brings education to life through dynamic, projected environments. This versatile room allows students to step into realistic settings—whether it’s a simulated healthcare placement, a woodland scene, or a rural landscape—enhancing experiential learning across disciplines.

Used especially by the Faculty of Health, the Immersive Cave helps students practice clinical care in varied contexts, adapting the environment to suit different scenarios. It also supports the integration of virtual reality and 360° backgrounds, making it a powerful tool for exploring how technology can enrich education.

Whether you’re training for a career in healthcare or exploring innovative teaching methods, the Immersive Cave offers a truly transformative learning experience.

Watch the video to find out more!

At South Devon College, your learning goes far beyond the classroom. Our impressive £36 million campus in Paignton is home to an exciting range of specialist, industry-standard facilities designed to give you the very best start in your chosen career – all while enjoying a vibrant and welcoming college experience.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll see why our facilities stand out. You’ll have access to over 200 computers, Apple Mac suites, and collaborative learning spaces across campus. Our £17 million award-winning Hi-Tech & Digital Centre offers state-of-the-art labs in computing, cybersecurity, creative media, and engineering, keeping you connected to the future.

For those with a passion for the arts, we have dedicated photography studios, digital production suites, and even a cinematic 4K screening room. Into hospitality? You’ll find Horizons, our on-site fine dining restaurant, where catering students cook and serve professional meals to the public in a commercial restaurant environment.

Beauty and hair students gain hands-on experience at Inspirations, our fully operational salon, and Barberworx, a public-facing barbershop. Both are designed to simulate real commercial environments and use the latest professional equipment.

Animal Care students train in our on-campus Animal Unit, where they care for creatures great and small. including meerkats, pigs, pygmy goats, rabbits, and more. Meanwhile, our Marine Academy gives students unique access to specialist maritime training.

Our Mama Bear’s Nursery supports parents studying at the College, providing professional early years care right on campus.

For downtime, there’s plenty to enjoy too – relax in our student common room with pool tables and games consoles, cool off at the ice cream parlour, or grab a hot drink in one of our cosy cafés. When it’s sunny, head outside to enjoy green spaces or catch a match at the South Devon College Sports Centre, complete with a 3G pitch, MUGA courts, changing facilities, and a community teaching space.

Set on the banks of the River Dart, the South Devon College Marine Academy offers a truly immersive maritime training environment, combining breathtaking natural surroundings with some of the most technologically advanced marine facilities in the UK.

Officially opened in 2022, our purpose-built Marine Academy is a centre of excellence, providing state-of-the-art resources for students pursuing careers across the marine and maritime sectors. Located within a fully operational boatyard in Kingswear, students benefit from direct access to tidal waters and the open sea – perfect for gaining experience in real-world marine conditions.

At the heart of the Academy is our industry-leading Bridge Simulator, a cutting-edge training tool funded by the LSIF project. This dynamic system allows students and apprentices to practise navigation, vessel manoeuvring and safety procedures in a realistic yet controlled environment. From challenging sea states to emergency scenarios, you’ll experience life at sea without ever leaving shore, building critical skills safely and efficiently.

The simulator is also a powerful resource for marine engineering students, enabling vessel stability testing, load configuration analysis and virtual design trials. These hands-on, technical experiences give you a head start in one of the UK’s fastest-evolving industries.

As a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre, full members of British Marine and the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), and an accredited provider for City & Guilds, EAL Awards, and the University of Plymouth, the Marine Academy offers industry-aligned, employer-informed programmes that prepare you for both national and international careers. The Roc + Dock project, in partnership with Hydrosurv and backed by Innovate UK, has developed advanced, automated docking stations for the wireless deployment, recovery and charging of zero emission Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) – training a future-ready maritime sector through state-of-the-art technology and real-world training capabilities.

At South Devon College, our Animal and Land-Based Unit offers an immersive, hands-on learning environment where you’ll work with over 150 species – including meerkats, skunks, porcupines, pigs, rabbits, lizards, and insects – using industry-standard facilities that mirror real working environments, including a commercial dog grooming area.

Animal welfare is central to everything we do. Our experienced teaching team delivers ethical, high-quality training that prepares you to work confidently and compassionately in the animal care and management sector. Through strong partnerships with local employers, including Paignton Zoo, you’ll also benefit from work placements and vocational trips that expand your skills and expose you to real career pathways.

As part of your studies, you’ll explore key topics such as animal handling, biology, husbandry, and conservation. Sustainability is also a key focus within the Animal Unit. Students take part in projects that support biodiversity and environmental responsibility, such as designing and building bird boxes, bat boxes, hedgehog homes, and barn owl boxes using recycled materials. These projects not only reduce waste but also help to create space for nature around our campus.

Our courses range from Level 1 through to a top-up BSc (Hons) in Applied Animal Science at University Centre South Devon, giving you a clear progression route into careers such as veterinary nursing, wildlife rehabilitation, and animal rescue.

The Student Innovation and Research Centre (SIRC) at South Devon College is a dynamic hub where ideas, collaboration and creativity come together to elevate the student experience. Purpose-built to promote student-led research and innovation, SIRC gives learners at all levels a professional environment to develop their academic, technical and industry-relevant skills.

SIRC is more than just a building – it’s a collaborative space where students, lecturers and partner organisations work together on live projects that solve real-world challenges. Whether you’re studying engineering, health, digital technologies or education, the centre supports interdisciplinary learning and connects you with expert staff and forward-thinking businesses.

Developed in partnership with the University of Plymouth, SIRC enhances the research capabilities of University Centre South Devon and plays a key role in helping students apply for Research and Innovation grants. Its design allows for flexible use, supporting everything from STEM-based exploration to creative and community-centred initiatives.

SIRC aligns closely with the region’s growing innovation ecosystem, including the Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC), ensuring students are part of a local and national conversation around cutting-edge technologies and ideas. Through its annual Student Innovation and Research Journal, the centre also provides a platform for student work to be published, helping you build your professional profile while still studying.

The South Devon College Sports Centre is a modern, purpose-built facility designed to support sporting excellence, physical education and community wellbeing. Whether you’re training for competitive sport or staying active as part of a healthy lifestyle, our centre provides the space and equipment to help you achieve your goals.

At the heart of the Sports Centre is our state-of-the-art 3G all-weather pitch – a latest-generation surface ideal for football and other team sports. The pitch is built to full competitive standards, offering a professional-level playing experience all year round, regardless of weather conditions. There is also a traditional grass pitch.

Alongside the main pitch, the centre also features a versatile Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), designed to accommodate a wide range of sports including basketball, netball and five-a-side football. These spaces support both structured curriculum sessions and recreational play, giving students the freedom to train, compete, and enjoy sport in a dynamic setting.

Supporting facilities include modern changing rooms, clubhouse and a community teaching space ideal for sports theory lessons, coaching seminars and team strategy sessions. The entire complex is designed to promote high levels of engagement, performance, and personal development.

Step inside the music production studios at South Devon College and discover a fully-equipped, professional-grade environment where sound, technology and creativity come together. Designed to mirror the expectations of the modern music and media industries, our recording studios provide the perfect setting to develop and refine your skills in music production and audio engineering.

Our facilities feature state-of-the-art sound equipment, including digital audio workstations, mixing desks, high-quality microphones, and industry-standard software for recording, editing and mastering tracks. With acoustically-treated rooms and a fully-operational live recording space, you’ll have everything you need to explore both the technical and artistic sides of music production.

Whether you’re working solo on a track, collaborating on a composition, or recording live performances, the studio space allows for a complete production workflow, from songwriting and arrangement to mixing and post-production.

These professional facilities support the development of core skills such as musicianship, composition, songwriting, and sound design, giving you the tools to craft your own sound and bring your musical ideas to life.

At South Devon College, our purpose-built dance studio provides the perfect space for aspiring performers to train, rehearse and refine their technique in a professional, inspiring environment. Designed to industry standards, the studio is fully equipped to support a wide range of dance styles and performance disciplines.

Flooded with natural light and fitted with sprung flooring, wall-to-wall mirrors, and barres, the studio offers the ideal setting for everything from classical ballet and contemporary movement to commercial, street and musical theatre choreography. Whether you’re preparing for an assessed performance or working on a new routine, the space encourages creativity, precision and confidence.

Alongside the dance studio, students also benefit from access to the College’s dedicated theatre, complete with technical lighting rigs, sound equipment, and recording facilities, providing full performance production experience, from studio to stage.

This vibrant, professional environment is where you’ll build core performance skills, experiment with choreography, and grow as both a dancer and creative artist.

The recording studio in South Devon College’s music department has all the state-of-the-art equipment needed to produce industry-quality sound – kit includes analogue and digital mixing desk, Audient ASP8024HE console, Apollo x16HE interfaces and high-quality compressors.

It also includes a warm audio EQ, a stereo pair of condensers and a range of mics.

At South Devon College, our dedicated gym and fitness suite is an essential part of the learning experience for students in Sports, Adventure and Public Services. Whether you’re training for a career in the uniformed services, preparing for outdoor expeditions, or developing elite-level fitness, our on-site gym provides a professional environment to build strength, resilience and endurance.

Fully equipped with a range of modern cardio machines, resistance equipment, free weights, kettlebells, and functional training stations, the facility is designed to support all aspects of physical development. From high-intensity training and circuit work to mobility and recovery, the gym is set up to mirror the expectations of industry and service careers.

This dynamic space is used for both independent training and structured sessions as part of your course, giving you the practical edge needed for roles that demand peak physical performance. It’s also the ideal place to refine your fitness ahead of entrance tests for the armed forces, police, or fire and rescue services.

The boatbuilding workshops at South Devon College’s Marine Academy are purpose-built to meet the demands of one of the South West’s most skilled and prestigious industries. Situated within our specialist campus on the banks of the River Dart, these workshops offer a professional-standard environment for training in all aspects of vessel construction, refit and repair.

Spacious, well-ventilated, and fully equipped, the facilities support work on a wide range of vessels, from leisure craft and workboats to superyachts. Our workshops are designed to accommodate modern and traditional techniques, with dedicated areas for composite work, metal fabrication, woodwork, and GRP lamination.

You’ll find an extensive selection of industrial machinery, precision engineering tools, and surface finishing stations, allowing for every stage of boat construction and repair to be carried out on-site. From hull shaping to detailed joinery and interior fit-outs, the facilities replicate the standards found in leading commercial yards.

Our workshops also include designated spaces for technical drawing, mould-making, and templating, alongside secure material storage and preparation zones. Surface treatment bays support the application of gel coats, varnishes, and marine-grade paints, ensuring students can train to the highest finish quality.

Supported by expert staff and strong industry links, the boatbuilding facilities at South Devon College provide a professional and immersive environment, bridging the gap between education and the marine industry with hands-on realism.

The Marine Engineering workshops at South Devon College’s Marine Academy are state-of-the-art spaces designed to replicate the professional standards of today’s maritime engineering industry. Situated within our specialist training hub on the River Dart, these workshops are equipped to support hands-on learning in the maintenance, installation, and commissioning of complex marine systems.

Purpose-built and industry-informed, the facilities offer dedicated bays for mechanical engineering, diagnostics, system testing and electrical maintenance, supporting work on a wide range of vessels including motorboats, yachts, commercial workboats and superyachts. The space has been designed to accommodate both individual and team-based projects, with access to the latest marine engines, drive systems, and fuel and cooling technologies.

Inside the workshops, you’ll find:

• Precision tools and digital measuring equipment for working to fine tolerances
• Fully operational marine engines and propulsion units for training and test rigs
• Hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical system simulators
• Dedicated areas for component manufacture, assembly, stripping, and reconditioning
• Technical drawing stations and diagnostic bays for planning and fault-finding exercises

Each workspace is supported by robust health and safety infrastructure, allowing for safe handling of heavy components and high-voltage systems. These facilities are also used to carry out commissioning and testing processes, preparing learners for the standards expected during live sea trials.

As boats become increasingly complex, the Marine Engineering workshops provide the physical and technological environment needed to train the next generation of maritime professionals, equipping them to meet the evolving demands of a modern, sustainable industry.

Set on the banks of the River Dart, the South Devon College Marine Academy offers a truly immersive maritime training environment, combining breathtaking natural surroundings with some of the most technologically advanced marine facilities in the UK.

Officially opened in 2022, our purpose-built Marine Academy is a centre of excellence, providing state-of-the-art resources for students pursuing careers across the marine and maritime sectors, including our ground-breaking Fisher Apprenticeship. Located within a fully operational boatyard in Kingswear, students benefit from direct access to tidal waters and the open sea – perfect for gaining experience in real-world marine conditions.

At the heart of the Academy is our industry-leading Bridge Simulator, a cutting-edge training tool funded by the LSIF project. This dynamic system allows students and apprentices to practise navigation, vessel manoeuvring and safety procedures in a realistic yet controlled environment. From challenging sea states to emergency scenarios, you’ll experience life at sea without ever leaving shore, building critical skills safely and efficiently.

The simulator is also a powerful resource for marine engineering students, enabling vessel stability testing, load configuration analysis and virtual design trials. These hands-on, technical experiences give you a head start in one of the UK’s fastest-evolving industries.

At South Devon College, we offer flexible online learning through two dedicated platforms tailored to different levels of study. Our Level 1 courses are delivered via our Moodle platform, while Level 2 qualifications are accessed through our e-Assessor system.

Both platforms are available to students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, allowing learners to study at a pace and time that suits them. Each course is structured into clearly defined lessons, with accompanying written assessments designed to reinforce understanding and support progression.

Students can save their work as they go and return to it as often as needed before final submission. Once submitted, the coursework is assessed by our experienced team. If required, feedback will be provided and learners will have the opportunity to make edits or additions to ensure their work meets the required standard.

Throughout the learning journey, students are fully supported. Help and guidance are available via email, phone, or Microsoft Teams, ensuring learners can access assistance whenever they need it. This approach combines independence with structured support, giving students the tools to succeed in their chosen subject area.

At South Devon College, we’re proud to be at the forefront of photonics education – an innovative and rapidly-growing field that underpins everything from laser surgery and autonomous vehicles to ultra-fast broadband and next-gen manufacturing. Photonics is the science of light, using photons instead of electrons to transmit data, create precision tools and drive innovation across multiple industries.

Our specialist Kao/Hockham Electronic and Photonics Training Suite, located within the College’s cutting-edge £17 million Hi Tech & Digital Centre, offers a dedicated learning environment with state-of-the-art equipment and industry-grade resources.

Our photonics facilities play a central role in pioneering initiatives such as the PICPAC project – a ground-breaking programme focused on nurturing the next generation of talent in photonic semiconductors.

South Devon College also hosts prestigious international photonics conferences, drawing academic, research and industry leaders to share insight, inspire collaboration, and showcase the innovation taking place within our facilities.

The Hi Tech & Digital Centre also features industry-standard provisions, including 3D printing and precision machining workshops, advanced materials testing suites, PLC programming and electrical training labs, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) suites. Our photonics department works in close partnership with the Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster and EPIC in Torbay, forming part of a wider regional strategy to power the future of photonics and advanced engineering.

At South Devon College, our award-winning Hi-Tech & Digital Centre offers an exceptional training environment for students pursuing careers in Hi-Tech Engineering and Electronics. Purpose-built and equipped with the latest industry-standard technology, this £17 million facility is designed to mirror the workplaces you’ll progress into, ensuring you graduate with the skills, confidence and experience employers are looking for.

Inside the Centre, you’ll train in real-life manufacturing workshops, precision engineering labs, design suites and digital programming environments. You’ll have hands-on access to cutting-edge technologies including 3D printing and additive manufacturing, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems, CNC machining and precision engineering tools, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), photonics and microelectronics.

Our experienced and passionate engineering staff bring expertise from both mechanical and electrical/electronic specialisms, offering real-world insight and personalised guidance throughout your learning journey. You’ll be working with the same advanced tools and software used in industry today, preparing you for a smooth transition into employment or higher-level study.

Housed in South Devon College’s Hi-Tech & Digital Centre our Virtual Production Studio offers a cutting-edge space where creativity and technology combine, giving you hands-on access to the tools used by leading professionals in the film, television and immersive media industries.

This specialist facility is part of a wider suite of state-of-the-art digital media resources, including film editing suites, industry-standard recording studios, professional cameras, virtual reality equipment, and Apple Mac labs loaded with special effects and editing software. Whether you’re filming, directing, compositing, or producing content for VR or traditional screens, you’ll be working with the same equipment powering today’s most innovative productions.

The Virtual Production Studio allows you to explore real-time filmmaking techniques using green screen and motion tracking—skills increasingly in demand across the creative sector. You’ll gain experience using professional-grade tools to create immersive environments, blending digital effects with live-action footage in a fully controlled setting.

With access to the Centre’s screening suite, darkrooms, and photography studios, you’ll have everything you need to take your creative vision from concept to final cut. Supported by experienced tutors and industry insight, this is your chance to learn, create, and push boundaries in a truly future-facing environment.

At South Devon College, aspiring photographers have access to some of the most advanced and inspiring photography facilities in the region, all housed within the cutting-edge Hi-Tech & Digital Centre. Our specialist studios and creative workspaces are designed to mirror real-world industry settings, giving you the perfect space to experiment, create, and grow.

You’ll learn using professional DSLR cameras, a variety of lenses, and studio lighting equipment, gaining the technical skills to shoot across genres, from studio portraiture and commercial photography to location-based and experimental work. You’ll also develop your own creative portfolio, preparing you for progression into higher education or employment within the creative sector.

Our dedicated photography studios sit alongside an impressive range of facilities, including darkrooms, Apple Mac editing suites, and access to industry-standard special effects and retouching software. You’ll also have the opportunity to present your work in the Centre’s 4K digital screening suite – ideal for exhibitions, digital showcases, or collaborative media projects.

With support from expert tutors and access to the same professional equipment used by industry creatives, South Devon College’s photography facilities offer the perfect environment to bring your vision into focus.

The ‘Wallis Ward’ at University Centre South Devon is an advanced simulation facility designed to immerse students in realistic clinical environments, supporting the development of essential healthcare skills and decision-making.

Equipped with high-fidelity Laerdal manikins, the suite enables students to interact with simulated patients that replicate a range of health conditions, allowing for complex scenario-based learning. These lifelike simulations provide opportunities to manage acute and chronic conditions, enhancing clinical competence in a safe, controlled setting.
Spanning the entire lifespan, ‘Wallis Ward’ features manikins and medical equipment ranging from neonatal to elderly care, ensuring students gain hands-on experience across diverse patient demographics. The facility is furnished with medication trolleys, diagnostic tools, and procedural kits, creating a dynamic, fully-stocked clinical learning environment.
Students also refine specific clinical skills, such as venepuncture, in dedicated spaces tailored for practical skills training. The suite integrates 360-degree filming and virtual reality (VR) technology, seamlessly connecting with our ‘immersive cave’, a 360-degree environment which enriches learning experiences through interactive, digitally enhanced simulations.
Through this cutting-edge setup, University Centre South Devon ensures learners engage in authentic, scenario-driven training, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world clinical practice. ‘Wallis Ward’ is the University Centre’s hub for healthcare education, fostering confidence, proficiency, and readiness for professional practice.

At the heart of South Devon College, our spacious, modern Library spans two floors and provides an inspiring environment for focused study, digital learning, and personal development.

With over 25,000 physical books, a wealth of academic journals, and access to a wide range of online databases and eBooks, the library supports every curriculum area across the College. Whether you’re researching for assignments or exploring your personal interests, you’ll find the resources you need, all backed by helpful, knowledgeable staff.

There are 65 bookable PCs available for student use, along with dedicated laptop zones on each floor and free Wi-Fi throughout. You can book a computer up to two weeks in advance, allowing you to plan ahead and secure your preferred study space. Prefer peace and quiet? Head to our Silent Study Room for distraction-free revision.

The library also features a dedicated Silent Study Room available until 2pm, perfect for those who prefer a quiet study area. Our Book Nook offers a refreshing break from academic reading, with a hand-picked selection of fiction, graphic novels, biographies and collections focusing on wellbeing, LGBTQ+ literature, and sustainability.

Specialist staff also deliver workshops and guidance on a variety of study skills including presentation techniques, research skills, referencing and exam preparation amongst others.

You’ll also benefit from access to our eLibrary and Virtual Learning Environment, where you can browse the library catalogue and can access resources remotely 24/7.

At South Devon College and University Centre South Devon, our commitment to delivering an outstanding student experience is reflected in the quality of our teaching spaces. Across the campus, you’ll find a wide variety of specialist classrooms, seminar rooms and flexible learning environments, all designed to enhance engagement and support diverse styles of learning.

Most recently, we’ve invested in a significant upgrade to our two conference suites at the University Centre, transforming them into state-of-the-art hybrid learning hubs. Each suite is now equipped with dedicated webcams and dual microphones, allowing for fully-interactive sessions that connect in-person and remote participants seamlessly. This technology supports both live-streamed teaching and audience participation, ensuring every voice can be heard, whether in the room or online.

To further enrich the teaching and presentation experience, both spaces feature four digital projectors and a fully-integrated presentation lectern with HDMI and USB-C connections, making it simple for staff and students to share content quickly and professionally.

These upgraded spaces are ideal for seminars, guest lectures, staff development, and collaborative sessions across curriculum areas. Whether you’re attending a workshop, presenting research, or participating in a hybrid class, you’ll benefit from a professional, future-ready environment tailored to modern teaching and learning.

At South Devon College and University Centre South Devon, we’re proud to provide facilities that inspire innovation, collaboration and confidence, ensuring you’re always learning in the best possible environment.

At South Devon College, our purpose-built bricklaying workshops provide a professional, hands-on training environment where you’ll master the skills needed for a successful career in the construction industry. Designed to reflect real-site conditions, our facilities give you the space, tools, and support to work confidently and safely from day one.

As part of our Construction provision, our bricklaying courses offer practical, skills-based learning in areas such as blockwork, cavity walls, decorative brickwork and foundation construction. You’ll work with industry-standard materials and equipment, gaining experience that mirrors what employers expect on-site.

Our expert tutors are experienced tradespeople who will guide you through every step of your development—whether you’re starting at entry-level or aiming for advanced qualifications. Many of our students have competed successfully in the renowned SkillBuild competition, showcasing their skills in front of a panel of expert judges on a national stage.

At South Devon College, our cutting-edge Cyber Resilience Simulation Suite provides one of the most advanced cyber training environments in the region, preparing students and professionals alike to thrive in an increasingly digitised and vulnerable world.

As part of our commitment to developing future-ready talent, the Cyber Suite is a core feature of the College’s Computing and Digital Technologies provision. This specialist facility offers a safe and controlled space to simulate real-world cyber attacks, allowing learners and business teams to experience, detect, and respond to threats such as ransomware, phishing campaigns, malware outbreaks and hacking attempts. The ‘sandbox’ environment, with ‘red team / blue team’ simulations, allows safe testing responses to simulated cyber attacks.

Whether you’re studying towards a qualification or taking part in professional training, you’ll engage in realistic scenario-based learning, where one team attempts to breach systems while another defends them, mirroring the kind of challenges faced by modern cyber security professionals.

With access to training labs, interactive simulations, online learning tools, and expert-led instruction, students and staff can build confidence in both strategic and technical aspects of cyber security.

At South Devon College, our advanced electrical workshop facilities provide the perfect environment to develop the high-level technical skills required for a successful career in the building services and construction industry. Designed to reflect the expectations of modern employers, our spaces combine practical, hands-on learning with cutting-edge technology, including green technologies.

You’ll train in fully equipped electrical workshops featuring industry-standard tools and materials, where you’ll carry out complex installation work, fault-finding, and inspection and testing techniques. Whether you’re wiring a domestic circuit or diagnosing issues on a more advanced system, the workshop environment supports both your technical knowledge and practical skill development. There will also be the opportunity to become a qualified solar photovoltaics or EV charger installer, learning on all the latest technology in our cutting-edge Clean Energy Centre.

In addition, you’ll have access to our additive manufacturing suite, which includes an electrical electronics lab, CAD software, industrial photonics and optical electronics lab, and state-of-the-art 3D printers. These facilities allow you to explore how digital tools and smart technologies are shaping the future of electrical installation and design.

Taught by experienced professionals from the industry, the Electrical Installation Advanced Technical Diploma helps you build on your previous knowledge and prepares you for apprenticeship opportunities, higher-level qualifications, or direct employment in the sector.

At South Devon College, our dedicated painting and decorating workshops provide the perfect space to master the tools, techniques and creative skills needed for a professional career in this versatile trade. Designed to reflect real working conditions, our training environment supports everything from traditional brushwork to cutting-edge decorative techniques.

As you progress you’ll have the opportunity to use more advanced equipment, including HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) spray systems, developing the precision and control required for high-quality finishes. You’ll explore both modern and traditional methods, building a comprehensive understanding of surface preparation, colour theory, wallpapering and decorative effects.

Our workshop is designed to mirror real industry challenges, helping you prepare for a wide range of career paths. Whether you’re aiming to become a set designer, shop fitter or site foreperson, the skills you develop in our facilities will support your progression into employment or further study.

You’ll also have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through work placements, giving you the chance to apply your learning in professional settings and build connections with employers. Many of our students have competed successfully in the renowned SkillBuild competition, showcasing their skills in front of a panel of expert judges on a national stage.

Step into the future of creative production at South Devon College’s Hi-Tech & Digital Centre, where the Digital Media Screening Suite offers a truly cinematic experience at the heart of one of the region’s most advanced learning environments. Whether you’re studying film, photography, gaming or digital media, this state-of-the-art facility provides the ideal platform to showcase, review and refine your work.

Equipped with a 4K digital projector, 7.1 surround sound, and seating for up to 100 guests, the Screening Suite mirrors professional cinema standards, giving students the opportunity to present their projects in an environment that reflects the expectations of the creative industries. It’s more than just a classroom – it’s a space to experience your work at a professional level.

The suite is also fully connected to the wider Centre, with the ability to cast content to all 4K screens throughout the building -perfect for hosting live events, exhibitions, conferences or multi-room showcases. This level of connectivity ensures your creativity reaches wider audiences in dynamic and engaging ways.

Whether you’re premiering a short film, analysing media content, delivering a live gaming broadcast, or hosting a digital showcase, the screening suite offers the technology and atmosphere to bring your ideas to life.

Our Exotics Room is a state-of-the-art learning facility, developed to reflect current industry standards. Designed as a practical and research-focused environment, it offers students the opportunity to engage in real-world applications and investigative projects.

Within this dynamic setting, learners can work closely with a diverse range of species, including snakes, turtles, lizards, amphibians, fish, and a variety of invertebrates. This hands-on experience is central to our approach, allowing students to develop confidence and competence in handling and caring for exotic animals.

Students also play an active role in shaping the environment, with opportunities to contribute to the design and maintenance of enclosures. This encourages a deep understanding of animal husbandry and welfare, with an emphasis on creating and sustaining enriching, species-appropriate habitats.

At the heart of the facility is a modern teaching space that integrates theoretical learning with practical application. This blend ensures students gain the essential knowledge and skills required to progress into further study or employment in zoological, veterinary or conservation-related fields.

At South Devon College, our Art and Design department provides a creative and inspiring environment where your ideas can come to life.

Whether your passion lies in painting, fashion and textiles, film, or graphic design, you’ll have access to specialist studio spaces and fully equipped workshops designed to support a wide range of disciplines. Our facilities have been developed to encourage experimentation, collaboration, and professional-level practice, providing the ideal environment for creative growth.

You’ll work in dedicated spaces for printmaking, textiles, digital design, photography, ceramics, and fine art, with access to industry-standard equipment that allows you to explore traditional techniques and digital innovation side by side. These inspiring facilities are backed by a team of expert lecturers, each with years of experience in art and design industries, from freelance creatives to exhibiting artists and media professionals. As an accredited centre of excellence with the University of the Arts London (UAL) – Europe’s largest specialist art and design awarding body – you’ll benefit from high-quality teaching and a nationally recognised qualification that opens doors to further study and careers in the creative industries.

At South Devon College, our cutting-edge EV training facilities prepare you for a future in the fast-growing electric vehicle industry. You’ll learn in a specialist EV diagnostic workshop and dual-purpose classroom, fully equipped with the latest tools, technology and safety equipment.

Our fleet includes a VW Golf GTE, Honda Civic Hybrid, and three Nissan Leafs, giving you hands-on experience across a range of modern electric and hybrid vehicles. You’ll develop essential skills in diagnostics, servicing, and high-voltage system safety using industry-standard equipment. There will also be the opportunity to become a qualified EV charger installer, learning on all the latest technology in our cutting-edge Clean Energy Centre.

These facilities mirror professional environments and are led by experienced staff with real-world knowledge of EV systems and green technologies. Whether you’re starting your journey or looking to specialise, our facilities ensure you’re ready for the next generation of automotive careers.

At South Devon College, our award-winning automotive training workshops provide a professional environment where you’ll develop the hands-on skills needed for a successful career in the motor industry. Designed to mirror real-world garages, our facilities are equipped with the latest tools, ramps, and diagnostic equipment used across the sector.

You’ll work on a wide range of petrol and diesel vehicles, learning key techniques in engine diagnostics, braking systems, suspension, steering, exhausts, and general vehicle servicing. Our purpose-built workshops allow you to practise in a safe, spacious setting that reflects the demands of the job.

You’ll also have access to dedicated areas for welding, fabrication, air conditioning, and parts distribution, broadening your skills across all aspects of vehicle maintenance and repair.

At South Devon College, students studying Business, Law and Management benefit from access to our state-of-the-art Hi Tech & Digital Centre – a purpose-built £17 million facility designed to support advanced learning and skills development across South Devon’s key growth industries.

Inside the Centre, you’ll find modern, open-plan collaborative learning spaces equipped with the latest digital technology, interactive teaching tools, and industry-standard software – ideal for developing the professional skills that today’s employers demand. The environment reflects the real-world workplaces you’ll move into, supporting everything from enterprise and entrepreneurship to digital marketing and legal research.

Whether you’re studying business administration, law, accounting, human resources, management or marketing, our courses are designed in close collaboration with employers from across Torbay and South Devon. This ensures that your learning remains industry-relevant and directly aligned with the skills needed in the workplace.

At South Devon College, our on-site gym and fitness facilities provide a welcoming and inclusive space to help you stay active, build strength, and boost your wellbeing, whatever your fitness goals. Whether you’re a beginner looking to get started or an experienced gym-goer aiming to level up, our facilities and classes are here to support your journey.

The gym is fully equipped with modern cardio machines, free weights, resistance equipment, kettlebells and functional training tools, giving you everything you need for strength training, endurance work, and full-body conditioning.

For those who love group exercise, our weekly fitness classes offer something for everyone:

• Ab Attack – High-energy cardio and toning
• Flex and Flow – A dynamic yoga-Pilates fusion
• Dance Yourself Fit – A calorie-burning dance workout
• Group Indoor Cycling – High-intensity spinning sessions
• Mixed Pilates – Gentle, adaptable mat-based Pilates
• Body Blast – Circuit-style strength and endurance training
• Yoga – Core-focused movement and breathwork
• Couch to 5K – Free beginner’s running plan with optional weekly coaching

You can also book our Indoor Sports Hall, Dance Studio or Cycling Room for your own activities – or join us in a game of badminton with free weekly court access and equipment provided. Bring a friend or family member along at no extra cost!