Exeter College, Devon

Exeter College is a general further education college in Exeter, Devon; it was first such college in England,  and was the highest-ranked in the country in 2017. The college has its origins in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, founded in 1869, and first became an independent institution in 1893 as the Exeter Technical and University Extension College. After using various different sites, the college's preceding institution moved into its present main campus in 1959, and was established in its present form as the first English further education college in 1970. The majority of its present buildings were constructed from 2005 onward.

The college is based around a campus at Hele Road, though owns several other sites around the city, and educates approximately twelve thousand students, including both sixteen to eighteen-year-olds and mature (adult) students. In addition, Exeter College jointly runs the specialist Exeter Mathematics School with the University of Exeter, with the college providing extra-curricular activities and pastoral support, and with students at the Maths School able to study one A.-level at the college. The tower block at the Hele Road campus, completed in 1963, is the third-tallest building in Exeter.

Origins, 1869-1893
Exeter College can trace its origins back to the opening of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (R.A.M.M.) in 1869. At its opening, the R.A.M.M. included a School of Science and a School of Art. In January 1891, the local government decided to use the Technical Instruction Act 1889 to either found a new technical institution in the city or to fund lectures and courses in the R.A.M.M.'s two schools. The latter option was chosen, and by June three such lectures had taken place "for the furtherance of technical education among working men", attended by six hundred and sixty people; the local University Extension Committee had sponsored two further "people's lectures", attended by nine hundred people in total. the scheme was subject to some criticism for being poorly-planned.

Exeter College, 1970-present
In September 1970, Exeter Technical College became the first tertiary college in England, combining the features of a typical further education college with a sixth form college. it renamed itself to the Exeter College of Further education

In February 1972 the college was renamed to Exeter College.

Exeter College was given approval to offer the International Baccalaureate in December 1992.

Victoria House was purchased by the college in June 1995, and is still in use to this day.

After an inspection in 2000 by the FE Funding Council, the college was declared "one of the best in the west".

In 2012 the Technology centre opened.

In May 2019 the gym and dance studio was opened.

Centre for Creative industries
The centre for creative industries is a building dedicated to the creative arts. this includes film and media, physical art, photography and radio broadcasting. they also commonly collaborate with the BBC studio in Exeter.

Centre for Music and Performance
The Centre for Music and Performance is Exeter college's centre for non physical or digital art. the centre for music and Performance mostly teaches performing arts and music. they have purpose built dance floors and rehearsal rooms.

Hele Road building
The Hele Road site is the college's headquarters and beating heart. as well as dealing with much of the college's admin and support tasks. it also teaches hair and beauty, childcare and public services, English language and hospitality.

Digital and Data centre
the Digital and Data Centre is located on the hele road site, it contains it suites, seminar spaces and digital learning laboratories. the building teaches Information technology and other digital courses.

Construction Centre
the Construction Centre (also commonly referred to as falcon house) is the college's hub for construction, which hosts bricklaying, retrofitting, joinery, plumbing, carpentry, and more. unlike most other Exeter college locations, it is not within walking distance of the city centre, and instead is located in Sowton industrial estate, but is still accessible by train and bus.

Exwick Sports Pavilion
Exwick Sports Pavilion is a sport facility containing a 3G AstroTurf pitch, tennis facilities, six badminton courts, two classrooms, sports therapy room and a gym.

Future skills centre
The future skills centre (Often abbreviated to FSC)is a building co owned by the college and Devon country council. it was previously owned by Flybe and used as a training academy, which is suiting as travel and tourism classes study there, learning about travel and how to be an effective hair hostess crew. aeronautical engineering also studies there due to its proximity to the airport. it also has a small aircraft which is maintained by the students, however does not fly. Second year t level Design Surveying And planning students also attend this campus, due to Falcon house being at student compacity. the building also hosts meetings and sessions, as well as police training. the only public transport link to the college is the 4A bus, of which it shares a bus stop with the hotel Hampton by Hilton, which currently has shut doors to help settle asylum seekers

Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre
Haven banks is a site of Exeter college which runs sailing canoeing, kayaking, archery, first aid and team building activities.

Maths and Science Centre
The Maths and Science Centre contains 11 science laboratories, forensic suite, a large computing lab and many specialist classrooms. this building hosts maths, science, psychology and criminology courses.

Sports hall, Gym And Dance studio
The spots hall, gym and dance studio is a large building with space for dance, exercise and other sport activities.

Technology Centre
The technology centre hosts aerospace, engineering and automotive students. it has a cad suite with over 24 computers, CNC machines and other high tech equipment. it has the largest virtual welding facility in Europe and 5 3d printers.

Victoria House
Victoria house teaches business, IT, sports and leisure and tourism courses. it suites can be found throughout the building.

Future improvement
In January 2019, the college announced it would be spending £70 million on altering the Hele Road site, including demolishing the tower block and allowing the public to cross through the campus to Exeter St Davids railway station.

Student life
Many of the college's buildings and campuses are located near the city centre, providing amenities to students after or in-between lessons. There are many clubs and societies, ranging from self defence to beach cleans and student-led clubs, such as the book club or the LGBTIA+ student group. There is a gym available to students from 7am to 7pm each day on weekdays.

Notable alumni

 * Matt Bellamy, musician
 * Alistair Brammer, actor
 * Jim Causley, folk musician
 * Michael Caines MBE DL – chef and owner of Lympstone Manor
 * Elliott Frear, footballer
 * Luke Newberry, actor
 * Joe Talbot, lead singer in Idles
 * Luke Pearce – English rugby union referee
 * Jo Pavey – Olympic long-distance runner
 * Conrad Humphreys – professional yachtsman