South Devon College Beats Major Universities to Win Prestigious National Nursing Award
University Centre South Devon recognised as Nursing Associate Provider of the Year, highlighting the power of community-led education and widening access to healthcare careers.
South Devon College has taken on the ‘big boys’ in producing the nurses of tomorrow with a prestigious national award.
The college’s University Centre has won the coveted Student Nursing Times Award in the Nursing Associate Provider of the Year category.
Ella Reynolds, programme co-ordinator and lead for nursing professions at University Centre South Devon, admitted after the awards ceremony: “This one feels really personal for lots of reasons.
“Working in a rural, college-based higher education setting, we often don’t have the scale or visibility of larger universities and it was hard not to feel like a very ‘small fish’ in that room full of inspirational and dedicated professionals!
“What we really do have at University Centre South Devon South Devon College is close-knit support, real community and a genuine commitment to widening access into nursing.”
South Devon was up against universities and much larger institutions. They were the only college to be shortlisted out of 600-plus nominations and it is believed they are the only college ever to win across all categories.
The 2026 Student Nursing Times Awards were held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London.
Nursing Times editor and awards host Steve Ford said: “Huge congratulations to all our winners. These awards provide us with a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the next generation of nurses and all those individuals and organisations that support them.”
Ella Reynolds added: “Like others across the country, so many of our students are balancing study with families, jobs and complex life circumstances.
“Seeing them grow in confidence and step into healthcare roles is the bit that matters most. Having a nursing lecturing team that feels supported and nurtured and wants to come to work is something I take extremely seriously.
“That’s why this award means so much — it recognises that smaller providers like us play a huge role in opening doors and increasing participation in the profession for students and educators alike.
“I feel incredibly lucky to work alongside such a passionate team and to learn from our students every single day. Huge thank-you to everyone involved and the wider teams that made today possible — this really is a shared win.
“To the finalists and winners in that room and to the ones that deserve recognition outside of it — you are awesome.”
South Devon College principal Laurence Frewin said: “What amazing news. Congratulations to you all.”
He said of the team: “Your hard work, commitment, passion and enthusiasm combined with your knowledge, experience and care for your students and their success makes you winners every day. This award recognises and celebrates all of this and more. I am so very very proud of you all.”