Welcome to Education and Student Support

Education Services and Student Experience

James Hutchinson - Director of Education Services and Student Experience

James Hutchinson is responsible for a wide array of services aimed at enhancing the student experience, including Library, Employability, Welfare and Wellbeing, Visa and Immigration, and Education Services. Previously, James pioneered the University's Strategic Delivery Unit, driving the development of change management strategies across the institution. As the former Director of College Operations at the University of Exeter Business School, he managed the School's professional services, contributing to its operational success and global standing.

James started his career in students’ unions and held several senior leadership appointments, including as Chief Executive of the University of Exeter Students' Guild, where he orchestrated a financial and strategic revival. His influence extended to national scale as a Non-Executive Director for NUS Services Ltd, providing substantial purchasing operations for UK students’ unions.

In governance, James has lent his expertise to various organisations, including EDP Drug and Alcohol Services and as the Chair of a local primary school's governing body. He continues to shape educational governance as a Member of the Ventrus Multi Academy Trust, upholding the integrity of educational and financial standards.

An MBA graduate from the University of Exeter, James is also a Chartered Fellow of the Management Institute. Outside his professional pursuits, he is a dedicated rugby coach, a dog lover, and a parent adept at juggling the dynamic schedules of his three children’s sporting events.

Education and Academic Support

Elaine Cordy - Head of Education and Academic Support Services

Delivering high quality support services that are essential to the student learning journey and to the delivery of an excellent student experience, Education Services is critical to every student and throughout their time at the university.

Elaine leads the following teams as part of Education Services: 

• Standard Programme Hubs
• CEDAR
• Online Programme Hubs
• Degree Apprenticeships
• GSE Partnerships
• MBA and Localities teams via Senior Education Partner
• Examinations
• Student Records
• Student Information Desk
• Graduation

Wellbeing and Welfare

Mark Sawyer - Head of Wellbeing and Welfare

Wellbeing Services can offer a range of services to support students personally and in their studies when difficulties occur.

You can find out more information via the following links: 

• Student Wellbeing (Exeter)
• Student Wellbeing (Cornwall)
• FXPlus Wellbeing

Library

James Anthony-Edwards - University Librarian

The library underpins education and research by providing extensive digital and physical academic information resources including more than 1.2 million e-books and 1.2 million physical library resources.  With subscriptions to over 53,500 journal titles, library users access more than 2 million journal articles online every year

The Library resources and highly quality customer-focused services:

• can be discovered from the Library website
• are accessible to students and academic staff wherever and whenever they want to work

Study facilities include the main Forum Library, open 24/7, and 8 other locations in Exeter and in Penryn.

The University’s cultural assets and activities supporting learning and research include care and promotion of

• rich special Heritage Collections
• the unique Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
• Arts and Culture collections and support for research impact through artistic collaborations
• innovative Digital Humanities research work embedding digital methods and resources.
• Timetabling

Student Employability and Academic Success

Paul Blackmore - Head of Student Employability and Academic Success (SEAS)

Student Employability is a key resource for students, graduates and graduate recruiters. We have over 40 staff working to help improve student chances of getting a great job after they graduate. Through the Career Zone we provide one-to-one guidance and careers information, the service places an emphasis on co-operative working, joining with university alumni and local businesses to help students learn more about their chosen career paths.

Academic Success focuses on strategic development with the academic and professional services communities, with particular attention to achieving the goals of the Education Strategy.

Quick links: 

• Career Zone website (current students)
• Information for graduates.
• Career Zone - Information for staff

International Student Community and Support

Jim Price - Head of International Student Community and Support

International Student Community and Support deliver specialist support and advice services to our international students and applicants. We include the following teams:

• International Student Advice
• International Student Experience
• Immigration Compliance
• The CAS Team
• Community Liaison

Strategic Support

Lizzie Caughey - Business Manager EAS

Lizzie provides business management and strategic support functions through the Strategic Support Team.  She supports budget planning and management and provides financial, HR, staff development, and communication across the service as well as Risk Management, Strategic Planning, and project support.

The Strategic Support Team includes:

• Millie Davis (e.m.davis@exeter.ac.uk)
• Jane Browing (j.c.browning@exeter.ac.uk
• Anna Francombe (a.francombe@exeter.ac.uk)
• Anita Crouch (a.crouch@exeter.ac.uk)