Major £1.3m upgrade at Exeter College to train the city’s next generation of NHS staff

Exeter College has secured £1.3 million to create a state-of-the-art healthcare training facility in the heart of the city, a move expected to open up hundreds of new opportunities for Exeter students pursuing careers in nursing, biochemistry and wider healthcare professions.

The investment (awarded through the Office for Students) will fund a fully simulated hospital ward and two multi-purpose laboratories on the college’s Hele Road campus. 

The new facilities will be housed within the existing Ted Wragg building, with construction set to begin in January 2026 and completion expected by March the same year.

Once operational, the training centre will deliver new and expanded programmes including Assistant Practitioner courses, Nursing Associate apprenticeships and access-to-higher-education pathways in Healthcare and Biochemistry. 

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College leaders say the development will address ongoing healthcare workforce shortages across the South West and support national priorities set out in the NHS 10-Year Plan.

Sam Hillman, Deputy Vice Principal at Exeter College, said the investment marks a major milestone for the city’s education and health sectors. “We are thrilled to have secured Office for Students funding to build a cutting-edge healthcare training facility at Exeter College, including an amazing hospital ward and two state-of-the-art laboratories,” he said. 

Mr. Hillman added that the project strengthens the college’s collaboration with the University of Exeter and will help deliver “inclusive health skills curricula and opportunities” for learners across the region.

Exeter MP Steve Race welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant boost for local skills and future NHS staffing. “Congratulations to Exeter College on their successful bid, which will make such a difference in our community,” he said. 

“This Labour Government is delivering vital funding to help young people get the skills they need to confidently enter the world of work. This new healthcare training facility will provide world-class education for our next generation of medical professionals.” 

Adding to this, Steve said that this is a “national renewal right on our doorstep.”

Nolan Smith, Director of Resources and Finance at the Office for Students, said the funding round was highly competitive but the Exeter project stood out for its regional and national impact. 

“These projects will make a tangible difference to current and future students,” he said. “As well as expanding opportunities in strategically important subject areas, they will give a boost to local and regional economies and promote national growth.”

The new hospital training ward is expected to play a major role in widening access to clinical education for adult learners, improving progression routes, and helping the South West train the additional healthcare professionals it urgently needs.