Free, Easy, Short, Teacher CPD starting soon!

We know it is hard to find time in a very busy schedule (especially this year!) to set aside for some CPD. So we want to help and have created a programme of short, free, and easy to attend CPD. So we welcome ALL Teachers/HE Advisors of all ages to the Discover University Bitesize Teacher CPD sessions. We will be hosting 6 sessions this academic year to give you the opportunity to learn new skills for research-informed teaching and meet leading academics from the University of Exeter. We hope you can relax with a cup of tea and gain some useful insights and tips to apply to the classroom straight away. Each session will also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics in greater detail. Read More

The University of Exeter’s Centre for Social Mobility

The University of Exeter and our commitment to help disadvantaged young people.

The University of Exeter’s Centre for Social Mobility is the UK’s first centre dedicated to improving social mobility through evidence-informed practice and policy. Its goal is to help disadvantaged young people so they do better at school, access higher education and succeed at university and in later life.

 

The Centre, which was Highly Commended for Innovation at this year’s UK Social Mobility Awards, has carried out a variety of research since its inception two years ago, on topics such as contextual offers; the transition of BTEC students into higher education and the evaluation of university outreach. Read More

Assessing applications

We know students can feel overwhelmed with the prospect of starting an application to university. In this blog we will highlight the key areas that the University of Exeter focuses on when assessing applications.

We take a number of factors into account when assessing an application. This information is correct at point of publishing (23/09/2020). Current policies can be found on our website at: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applying/assess/

How do we assess an application?

In considering an application, we consider:

  • Achieved academic performance in level 2 and 3 qualifications (GCSEs, A Levels, and their equivalents)
  • Predicted performance in future examinations
  • Personal statement
  • Reference
  • Any additional statement supplied by a school or college regarding any special personal or extenuating circumstances which may impact, or have impacted on an applicant’s studies.

We may also take into account the educational context in which your academic achievements have been gained.  For further information please see the section on School Performance in our Admissions Policy.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for applicants who:

  • Are suited to the course
  • Have the qualifications and qualities to succeed on the programme
  • Are ambitious, conscientious & hardworking
  • Are able to work under pressure
  • Can adjust to the new university environment
  • Show dedication to the course & have researched it
  • Have a genuine interest in the subject
  • AND a desire to learn more…

Do we interview?

The majority of our courses do not require applicants to attend an interview. A key exception to this at the University of Exeter is Medicine, where we invite applicants to Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Your students can find out about the Medicine interview process in the video below:

 

 

Supporting your students’ UCAS research in a virtual world

Applying to University can feel daunting at the best of times particularly during this period when students may feel rushed starting the new term.  For your most proactive students then applications are now open for UCAS, from the 8th of September.

Two of the most important dates to note are:

15th October 2020 deadline for Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine.

15th January 2021 deadline for all UCAS undergraduate courses.

There are many different ways to support your students virtually and the benefits of online support are that it is free and accessible for all regardless of location.  Below are a few ways you can signpost your students further and an opportunity for you to attend a CPD conference with other Russell Group universities.

Read More

Digital Outreach

Students in schools and colleges require access to information in order to make informed decisions about their educational pathways. Normally, these sources of information have taken the form of in person information fairs in schools/colleges or large UCAS exhibitions alongside in-school/college careers guidance where available. These have complimented on-campus visits, open-days and other opportunities. The current pandemic has altered our world and provided limited opportunities to engage with prospective students in this way. Universities and other guidance providers have developed a multitude of distinct digital offerings over the last few months in an attempt to fill this void and support students. The use of TEAMS and Zoom are now common place amongst our outreach team although it is acknowledged that it is difficult to replicate the on campus experience through a digital lens. There are however some very valuable lessons learnt over the last few months which enable us to reflect on good practise whilst considering our output over the coming year;

  • Is there a need to increase our carbon footprint, frequently travelling several hundred miles each week when these may be replicated through digital means?
  • Is there a difference in the way key messages are received by the audience, either in person or through digital platforms when our target audience are so accustomed to digital engagement?
  • What are the implications, with the reduction of travel and the move to digital engagement, on our team’s welfare and well-being?

Digital engagement does not necessarily need to wholly eradicate in-person exchanges – this does not need to be an either/or scenario. The last few months have demonstrated that there is a place for the roll out of digital output that permits the user to access content at a time and place that is suitable for them and those who support them. In addition to the many bespoke in-school sessions, my team have created fantastic resources aimed at different audiences;

www.exeter.ac.uk/teachers – Our Teachers and Advisers website contains a wide selection of resources and activities available to teachers/advisers to download and share with your students.

www.facebook.com/DiscoverUniExe – Students, parents & guardians can keep up to date with all our activities and events via our Discover Uni facebook page.

@DiscoverUniExe – a Twitter handle aimed specifically at teachers and advisers providing all the latest information about our activities.

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/teachers/activities/booking/login/ – Log in a request for outreach delivery via our dedicated School Booking system.

The forthcoming academic year is likely to see the team deliver a blended approach to outreach combining lessons learnt through our digital output thus far alongside our excellent opportunities to engage with our campuses when circumstances allow. Please do have a look at the above resources and engage with us through our different platforms. Where we can, we will help.

Dr Karl Devincenzi

Schools Relationship Manager

Results days in August 2020

For University applicants and admissions, it has been a fortnight like no other. We hope you and your students are all keeping well and have seen our posts on policies as they arise on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. We wanted to shine a light on a recent discussion led by our Assistant Director of Student Access, Recruitment and Admissions – Dr Katherine Lloyd Clark.

Katherine and Karl filmed an In Conversation special in response to the OfQual announcement concerning Centre Assessed Grades, and spoke through the implications for current applicants to the University of Exeter. Watch the video below.

 

 

A Level results day

If your students are due to receive results tomorrow, we hope the day goes as smoothly as possible for you all. The University of Exeter remains committed to ensuring as many students as possible progress onto Higher Education and we’ll be on hand tomorrow to help in any way we can.

The best way to contact our admissions team is through the live chat function on our website. It’s available from 08:00-20:00 tomorrow https://www.exeter.ac.uk/clearing/contactus/

Confirmation of results
If your students hold an offer for the University of Exeter they have the option of using the live chat or contacting the admissions team via our phone line: 0300 555 6060 (UK callers)
Please note – this phone line is reserved for offer holders and teachers/advisers only.

Clearing
Each Clearing Vacancy published on our clearing webpage has an ‘apply’ button which links through to an online form: https://vacancies.exeter.ac.uk/clearing/
By completing the form, applicants will be considered for a place faster than by any other means of enquiry.

Clearing tips

We know how important it is for your students to feel prepared and well-equipped in the run up to A Level results day. A really key part of this is getting to grips with the Clearing Process.

We’ve gathered together some advice and guidance to help your students navigate Clearing, in the videos below.

Connecting over the summer

If your students have received a Clearing Offer or are preparing their options for results day, there are a number of ways for them to virtually visit our campuses and find out more about life and study at our campuses.

  • Take a virtual campus tour

Though current events mean we can’t welcome your students onto our campuses in person, we do have a series of campus tours available: Visit Streatham, Visit Penryn or Visit St Lukes in the videos below.

  • Chat to a current student

Students interested in courses at our Exeter-based campuses (Streatham and St Lukes) can chat to current students via our dedicated Unibuddy page. We have a huge range of courses supported on the platform, so it’s very likely they will be able to connect with someone from their discipline or college.

Students interested in courses at our Cornwall campus (Penryn) can email where the team will put them in touch with a current student ambassador.

  • Visit our Online Open Day platform

Our dedicated Online Open Day platform is open throughout July and August. The platform showcases content which explores accommodation, student life, subject specific information and more. Your students can access the platform here.
More useful links:
Hear from our students about their experiences of Clearing: www.exeter.ac.uk/clearing/studentstories/
Clearing vacancies for Home/EU students: https://vacancies.exeter.ac.uk/clearing/home/
Clearing vacancies for International students: https://vacancies.exeter.ac.uk/clearing/international/