Local students offered University taster
Year 12 students from across the region gathered at the first ever Exeter Progression Student Conference on Saturday 29 November.
The Conference, held at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus, marked the launch of Exeter Progression, which is giving students from Devon and Cornwall the opportunity to expand their knowledge and explore Higher Education.
The programme works with partner schools to offer more than 200 students a series of activities focussed on a subject of their choice. It sees participation from Axminster to Penzance, and builds on the University’s commitment to fair access, by developing and expanding opportunities for local, academically-gifted students from underrepresented groups in Higher Education.
The University of Exeter provides access to subject experts and current University students, who help participants to understand the benefits of Higher Education, and the possible pathways opened up by studying different subjects. Areas of study offered by the programme include Biosciences, Business & Management, Classics & Ancient History, English, Engineering, Geography, Law, Medical Professions and Modern Languages. As well as valuable advice and guidance, successful completion of Exeter Progression will also provide participants with a pathway to a place at the University.
Melissa Ruddock, Fair Access Officer, said: “We were delighted with the amount of interest we’ve seen in Exeter Progression and the obvious enthusiasm of the students taking part. Many participants will have come from families where nobody has been to university before, so it’s important that these students understand the pathways that are open to them, and can therefore make informed decisions about their futures.
“This programme is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to fair access, and to ensure that we attract the best and brightest students, regardless of background. We are now looking forward to working with participants over the next two years through a range of exciting subject-specific activities taking place both in Exeter and Cornwall.”
For more information about Exeter Progression, visit www.exeter.ac.uk/exeter-progression, or contact Melissa Ruddock on: exeter-progression@exeter.ac.uk.
