Exeter College has announced the winners of its 2026 Academic Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of first-year learners across the College.
Twenty-seven winners were announced at the awards, celebrating the excellence, commitment and progress of learners across academic subjects including A Levels and BTEC qualifications.
In 2025/26, close to 13,000 learners enrolled at Exeter College. The year also saw record numbers of learners submitting UCAS applications, as well as record numbers of applications by learners to study at Oxford or Cambridge.
The ceremony took place at the College’s new Centre for Law and Social Sciences and brought together staff, learners and guests to celebrate success across seven faculties. It also featured student performances from Exeter College faculties including Maths and Science, Media and Performing Arts, and Humanities.
Awards were presented for Academic Excellence, Subject Excellence and Outstanding Progression, reflecting the breadth of talent and achievement across the College.
Alongside faculty and subject awards, individual awards were presented for Classics, the Harvard Book Prize, the International Baccalaureate and Reach Academy, as well as EXtra Student of the Year and Tutee of the Year.
College alumnus, Tom Atkins, was the guest speaker for the evening, providing thoughtful and humorous words of wisdom for the award winners. Tom graduated from Exeter College in 2022 and has since read an MSc in Social Policy with Innovation at the University of Bristol, worked for the British Red Cross, and walked international runways as a model. Tom is now a CEO and co-founder of a Bristol based technology company tackling the global shortage of microchip designers.
Speaking at the awards, Exeter College Assistant Principal, Billie Stokes, said:
“We are here tonight in the company of an inspiring group of young people – students who have not only achieved outstanding academic success, but who also have incredibly bright futures ahead of them. Tonight is about celebrating excellence, hard work, and the many contributions our award winners have made to Exeter College.
“Each year, our students continue to amaze us with their talent, creativity, energy, and compassion. We feel incredibly fortunate to work with such vibrant and thoughtful young people; they are at the heart of what makes Exeter College such a special place.
“While much of this evening focuses on academic achievement, it’s equally about recognising the wider impact our students have made in their support of one another, their engagement across college life, and the example they set for others.”
Exeter College’s 2025/26 Academic Award Winners:
- Sunny Stroud, Academic Excellence, Art and Design
- Theo Whitehill, Subject Excellence, Art and Design
- Tilly Whinnett, Outstanding Progress, Art and Design
- Tate Ferreday, Academic Excellence, Culture, Languages and Economics
- Tyler Strong, Subject Excellence, Culture, Languages and Economics
- Matt Hibble, Outstanding Progress, Culture, Languages and Economics
- Mateen Kay, Academic Excellence, Human Social and Political Sciences
- Emilia Coyne, Subject Excellence, Human Social and Political Sciences
- Marissa Ellis, Outstanding Progress, Human Social and Political Sciences
- Sophie Brown, Academic Excellence, Information Technology, Digital and Data
- Mateusz Jedrysek, Subject Excellence, Information Technology, Digital and Data
- Charlie Turner, Outstanding Progress, Information Technology, Digital and Data
- Benjy Mungall, Academic Excellence, Maths and Science
- Amy Nixon, Subject Excellence, Maths and Science
- Syeef Kabir, Outstanding Progress, Maths and Science
- Max Thomas, Academic Excellence, Media and Performing Arts
- Fay Driscoll, Subject Excellence, Media and Performing Arts
- Jess Pack, Outstanding Progress, Media and Performing Arts
- Lihan Laubscher, Academic Excellence, Sport and Physical Education
- Harrison Jordan, Subject Excellence, Sport and Physical Education
- Willow Shaw, Outstanding Progress, Sport and Physical Education
- Mia Wyatt, Extra Student of the Year
- Chloe Dolphin, Tutee of the Year
- Jess Mandeno, Classics Learner of the Year
- Martha Dade, Harvard Book Prize
- Abel Fisher-Cavell, International Baccalaureate Learner of the Year
- Tasmin Self, Reach Learner of the Year
Hot weather brings extra help for those sleeping rough in Exeter
Celebrations as Exeter green field homes plan is thrown out
Amber Heat-Health Alert issued for the South West by the UK Health Security Agency
Sidmouth could be the UK Town of Culture 2028!
Around a million parents urged to book new ‘four-in-one’ NHS jab to protect young children against measles
Approved plan for up to 75 homes in major Devon town to get second scrutiny
Exeter Canal bridge project is ‘missing a trick’ says city MP
Monster development opponents urging public to attend meeting
End in sight at last for six-year Exeter roads wrangle
Battery fire risk sparks urgent safety warning as e-bike use rises
Appeal following fatal road traffic collision involving van and motorcycle in Exeter
Ottery St Mary Enters the UK Town of Culture 2028 Competition
Devon Mayoralty would unlock billions in investment and boost county’s economy by at least 10%
Sports club serving up double plans for expansion bid
Work to install new storm tank in Sidmouth to reduce storm overflows complete
Have your say on plans to improve air quality in Exeter
