Petroc Students Gain Exclusive Insight into University Life at Exeter Taster Day

More than 30 students from Petroc’s Aim Higher Academy had the opportunity to visit the University of Exeter for a dedicated Taster Day, designed to give them a first-hand experience of university life and study. As an academy partner, Exeter University welcomed our learners with a packed schedule to showcase its exceptional academic and student support facilities.

Throughout the day, students were immersed in the university experience. They toured the main campus, gaining an understanding of Exeter’s research-focused teaching style, the world-class learning facilities—including 24/7 libraries, silent study spaces, and research aquariums—and the dynamic student life, with a strong emphasis on sport and extracurricular activities. The students also attended an informative introduction to studying at Exeter, followed by a panel discussion led by five university ambassadors. This engaging Q&A session covered crucial topics such as managing contact hours, budgeting as a student, balancing part-time work, and crafting a strong university application. The ambassadors also shared their personal experiences, providing invaluable insights into why Exeter is a fantastic choice for higher education.

Sarah Freeman, Head of A Levels and organiser of the Aim Higher Academy at Petroc, reflected on the day’s success:

“We are absolutely thrilled that our students had this fantastic opportunity to experience university life first-hand. The visit provided them with key insights into higher education, helping to break down barriers and inspire their ambitions. Hearing directly from university students and exploring Exeter’s outstanding facilities has been invaluable in helping our learners make informed decisions about their futures.”

For many students, the highlight of the day was the opportunity to engage directly with university lecturers and students. Oscar, who is currently studying Chemistry, Physics, and Maths at Petroc, said:

“The engineering experience was definitely the highlight for me. Being given a problem and solving it within 15 minutes was a real challenge! Using Menti for interactive discussions made it easy to get broad answers, and the analysis of AI in the tech industry was fascinating.”

Edward, another Petroc student, found the Bioscience and Geography sessions particularly useful:

“The Bioscience talk was really helpful; it gave us a clear idea of what the course entails. I also found Geography really interesting – I got stuck in, engaging with the lecturers and asking lots of questions.”

Sienna and Aisha, two other attendees, shared their enthusiasm:

“It was a really good day with lots of variation. We liked how we could explore different courses by career paths. The sessions on Medicine and Radiography were especially insightful. Exeter is now a real option for where to go to Uni.”

The day also included valuable information on the university’s support systems, covering academic guidance, health and wellbeing, financial assistance, and accommodation options.