Thursday 9th October 2025
Showground, Wadebridge

Gold Standard Results for Degree Students

Many University level students in Cornwall have struck gold this year, with more than three quarters of all Truro and Penwith College students achieving a 2:1 or First Class Degree.

Determination and hard work throughout 2017 has certainly paid off, continuing the outstanding results for the College’s degree students over the last five years.

In total, 29% of students studying on Bachelor Degree programmes have graduated with a First Class Honours and 44% with a 2:1. Foundation Degree students were just as successful, with over 80% being awarded their Degrees or progressing on to further courses at the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold-rated Truro and Penwith College.

Award winning filmmaker and Photography and Digital Imaging student Debra Jayne passed her degree with flying colours, taking home a first class degree.

Debra, who joined the College as a mature student, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to bits. My lecturer Marcus Way has really given me a chance and I knew that I couldn’t let him down – it really does go to show that you can do anything when you put your mind to it, and at any stage in your life.”

Human Behavioural Studies student Helen Moxham has gone from strength to strength along her chosen pathway, completing her Access Course, Foundation Degree and BA (Hons) Degree, all through Truro and Penwith College.

She said: “My results were much more than I expected, a First Class Honours is an incredible result. I worked really hard in my final year and pretty much didn’t see my husband and children in that time, he can back me up on that.”

The outstanding results support the recent national recognition received by the College which was awarded the highest possible rating of Gold in June 2017 by the Teaching Excellence Framework, or TEF.

External judgements consistently recognise the exceptional quality of the College’s degree level work, with Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) praising the  College’s “quality and standards of provision” following its review in March 2016.

Zak Chenoweth from St Austell also received a Distinction in Sports Rehabilitation and was thrilled with the results.

He said: “I’m really happy with my results, I’m ready to start my third year of study and am currently applying for a Masters. I’ve been at Truro College for five years now, and it’s been really good. It’s nice to have small numbers of students in the classroom which means you can ask your lecturers questions or have a meeting whenever you need.”

Programme Team Leader for Higher Education at Truro and Penwith College, Dr Andrew Smart was delighted with these outcomes for learners: “Our hard-working University Level students have produced a really strong set of grades, for which they should be very proud. The College endeavours to continually support students throughout Cornwall wanting to study locally for a Gold standard University education.”

College Principal David Walrond was also quick to congratulate the successful graduates.

He said: “I think a particular pleasure in seeing how fantastically well these students have done, comes from the knowledge that many of them did not necessarily think at earlier stages in their education, that higher education was for them. There are also many others in this cohort who graduated because of the opportunity to study for a degree locally, here in Cornwall.”

“I think what characterises our offer here at Truro and Penwith, and what led to these students choosing us, is regular, high-quality teaching from staff who are supportive and available. That is what we offer here, and the great results just published illustrate the benefits of that approach.”

Truro and Penwith College offers over 50 University study programmes, ranging from BA and BSc Honours Degrees to Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas and Higher National Certificates. Specialist subjects include Archaeology, Community Studies, Business, Sports Rehabilitation, Childhood Studies, Silversmithing and Jewellery and many more.

It’s not too late to think again about University – places are still available for September 2017; apply now to discover a University education that puts you first. Visit www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/uni or call 01872 267061