The University of Exeter has “fundamentally reshaped” its degree apprenticeships to remove barriers before learners encounter them, Ofsted has found, in an inspection that awarded three ‘exceptional’ grades. Inspectors said the university had redesigned its approach around anticipating apprentices’ needs, resulting in “highly inclusive and frequently transformational educational experiences”. Exeter was awarded the top ‘exceptional’ grade for leadership and governance, apprentices’ achievement, and participation and development. Ofsted gave the university a ‘strong standard’ grade for inclusion and curriculum and teaching. It is the strongest result for a skills provider to date under Ofsted’s new inspection framework. Inspectors said leaders had worked “tirelessly” to develop an approach in which barriers to learning were identified and addressed early. Apprenticeship provision now contributes “significantly” to wider university improvement work, including influencing institutional approaches to neurodiversity, inclusive pedagogy, mathematics anxiety and professional mentoring. The report said the university had developed a “no lost learning” approach across its degree apprenticeships, where leaders ensure that apprentices “fully participate in their learning across the curriculum and that their attendance is consistently very high”. Staff create opportunities for apprentices to share their experiences with peers from different industries through “structured networking groups and ‘learning circles’”, which Ofsted said builds apprentices’ confidence in discussing common issues that they may face. Leaders “recognise the significance” of their offer in providing apprentices with “highly prized” professional qualifications in addition to their degrees and focus their efforts on making sure that their apprenticeships are “available to all”, inspectors added. ‘Exceptional’ progress Apprenticeship achievement rates at Exeter hit 84 per cent in 2024-25, compared with 65 per cent nationally. This was up from 81 per cent at Exeter in 2023-24. Ofsted said the progress made by apprentices from their starting points was “exceptional”, including for disadvantaged learners. Many achieved merit and distinction grades, while apprentices were also praised for producing work of a “very high quality” that “transforms” the operations of the companies they work for. Apprentices completed projects and research that produced “valuable cost-saving and efficiency-enhancing proposals”, Ofsted found. The university had around 3,900 apprentices at the time of inspection, across levels 4 to 7, with its largest cohort on the level 7 senior leader apprenticeship – one of the standards that lost government funding for new starters aged 22 and over from January 2026. Other industries its apprentices work in include digital and data, engineering and mining, healthcare, and accounting and finance. Ofsted also praised Exeter’s close work with employers to ensure apprentices had suitable workplace environments and received the right support. Apprentices were offered adaptations including assessment extensions and British Sign Language interpreters, while staff were able to identify learning and support needs quickly. The university had also expanded opportunities for apprentices beyond their core programmes, including its Leading Edge speaker programme, WorldSkills UK competitions, societies and professional guilds. Inspectors said these opportunities helped apprentices develop a “sophisticated” understanding of issues including ethical leadership and sustainability. Professor Lisa Roberts, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Exeter, said this “outstanding recognition” by Ofsted reflects “not only the strength of our educational provision, but also our commitment to understanding and responding to the needs of employers”. “This achievement – the first of its kind in the country – is shared with the employers who work alongside us every day to create transformative learning experiences and exceptional opportunities for our apprentices,” she added. The University of Exeter’s degree apprenticeships were last inspected in 2022, when it received a ‘good’ overall rating under Ofsted’s previous framework.