University of Exeter

Overview

The University of Exeter offers exciting courses in the beautiful and historic surroundings of South West England. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group of top UK research universities, Exeter combines excellence in teaching and research with an outstanding student experience. Exeter is one of the few Russell Group institutions to have received a prestigious triple gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) review.

Exeter welcomes over 30,000 students from more than 150 countries to four friendly campuses: Streatham and St Luke’s in Exeter, Devon, Penryn and Truro in Cornwall. These locations offer inspiring, safe environments where you will soon feel at home.

Whichever campus you choose, the University is committed to making your student experience the best it can be. There's plenty to keep you entertained with bars, pubs, clubs, theatres, and music venues. You’ll also find world-class sports facilities for beginners and athletes alike. Exeter is the number one sports university in the south of England and Wales, and frequently finishes top five in the annual British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings.

In an era of unprecedented change, the University is transforming how it educates the brightest young minds to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Exeter School of Law

An Exeter Law degree delivers a rigorous understanding of legal principles and examines law in different theoretical and social contexts, constantly keeping an eye on regional and global developments. Exeter students gain experience of studying Law in applied settings through community legal projects, pro bono work and mooting. Canadian students who take an LLB programme at Exeter can return to practice in Canada by applying for admission to a law society in a Canadian jurisdiction and taking exams through the National Committee for Accreditation (NCA).

University of Exeter Business School

The University of Exeter Business School was named Business School of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2022. It is also a member of an elite group of business schools globally to hold ‘triple crown’ status, with accreditations from the three leading accreditation bodies: EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB. With business having a crucial role to play in tackling the global climate emergency, Exeter’s research, education and partnerships have a major focus on the core areas of expertise in Environmental Sustainability, Responsible Leadership and Technological Transformation. The Business School uses insight and expertise to redefine the role of business globally and to teach students how to use sustainable and responsible business principles to become successful leaders.

Services for International Students

The International Student Support Office can help students with issues such as visas, bank accounts and settling in at the beginning of the term. They also support and share information about cultural events on campus throughout the year such as Diwali, Thanksgiving, Lunar New Year and Christmas.

All students are assigned a personal tutor who is there to support you with personal development, academic progress and welfare. Exeter also offers a Global Chums Mentor Scheme which matches new students with a current second- or third-year student to give you advice on living in the UK and to help you during your first year.

INTO University of Exeter provides preparatory English courses for international students looking to study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. For students already studying at the University, the in-sessional team offers free English language skills development courses and workshops to improve and develop English skills for academic study and life in the UK.

The University is dedicated to ensuring that studying for a degree remains accessible to the brightest minds of the future, regardless of financial background. More than £5 million worth of scholarships are available for international undergraduate and postgraduate students applying for degrees starting in 2024.

Ranking

The Exeter University ranking consistently places it among the top universities in the UK and, in 2025, it ranked 13th in the Times University Guide and 18th in the Guardian University Guide. Globally, the University of Exeter’s QS Ranking is 169th for 2025. 

The university’s Mining and Mineral Engineering subject is placed 14th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 while its Sports-related subjects, Geophysics, Geology, Classics and Ancient History, Geography, Archeology, Environmental Sciences, Earth and Marine Sciences, and English Language and Literature all feature in the top 50.

• 13th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 18th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 169th in QS World University Rankings 2025
• 172nd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• 151-200th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, more than 99% of the University of Exeter's research was rated as being of international quality* and 12 subjects were in the Top 10 for world-leading impact.

The University is also proud to have been ranked top 10 in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 Impact Rankings, which measure institutions’ progress towards delivering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As well as gaining a 10th place overall ranking, Exeter was ranked first in the world for leading the way on Clean Water and Sanitation.

*Research rated 4* + 3* + 2* in REF 2021

Accommodation

Accommodation is guaranteed for all new unaccompanied international students who accept an offer and apply for accommodation by the deadline. There is a wide range of catered and self-catered accommodation, with studio flats and shared houses available. All are within 20 minutes’ walk of the nearest campus. Self-catered accommodation is generally arranged in flats of three to twelve people with a shared kitchen and communal area. Private rented accommodation is available through landlords or private halls of residence.

Location

With beautiful green campuses in Devon and Cornwall, Exeter is a university of the whole South West. Its campuses offer a mix of historic buildings and modern facilities, but there’s plenty more to explore on the doorstep – including beautiful beaches, spectacular countryside, and exciting culture, food and arts. Exeter has superb travel links, with an international airport and two railway routes into London, meaning it is within easy reach of London, Europe and beyond.

Streatham Campus, Exeter

Acknowledged as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, Streatham Campus on the edge of Exeter in Devon offers an unrivalled study environment, with parkland and gardens to enjoy throughout the year. The centrepiece of Streatham Campus is the stunning Forum, which is home to a modern 24/7 library, technology-rich learning spaces, a 400-seat lecture theatre and a variety of retail and catering outlets. The city centre is only a 15-minute walk away so you can enjoy the advantages of a campus-based university without missing out on life in the city.

Penryn Campus, Cornwall

The innovative Penryn Campus in Cornwall has stunning buildings set in a beautiful location close to the waterside town of Falmouth. The campus is consistently ranked highly for student satisfaction: students report having a highly personal experience that is intellectually stretching but great fun, providing plenty of opportunities to quickly get to know everyone. The campus is home to around 6,000 students and is shared with Falmouth University. The diversity of students’ interests and backgrounds gives the campus a unique vibrancy. A strong focus on the environment and sustainability underpins much of the campus’s ethos; these themes recur throughout its degree programmes as well as in student societies, clubs and the running of the campus.

St Luke’s Campus, Exeter

St Luke’s Campus, in the heart of Exeter, is home to Sport and Health Sciences, the Medical School, the Academy of Nursing, the Department of Allied Health Professions, and PGCE students. Students have studied at St Luke’s for more than 160 years and although much has changed over the years, the campus has retained a vibrant, collegiate atmosphere with a friendly community of students and staff. At the heart of the campus lies a picturesque grass quadrangle enclosed by the campus’s traditional North Cloisters and modern teaching buildings. Academic facilities include a library, IT facilities, modern seminar rooms and lecture theatres. Sports facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, sports hall and an air-conditioned health and fitness studio.

Truro Campus, Cornwall

The Truro Campus is situated at the Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) site and is the base for a proportion of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) students during years 2, 3, 4 and 5. Students have access to a range of facilities including a lecture theatre, seminar rooms, a common room, the Cornwall Health Library, the Life Sciences Resource Centre (LSRC) and Clinical Skills Resource Centre. Students based in Truro also have full access to the social and student support facilities and activities offered at our Penryn Campus.

Alumni

• J.K. Rowling (Author)
• Vanessa Kirby (Actress)
• Thom Yorke (Musician)
• Mark Labbett (TV Personality)
• Steve Backshall (Naturalist and Explorer)
• Sajid Javid (Politician)
• Rhod Gilbert (Comedian)
• Will Young (Singer)
• Peter Phillips (British Royal Family)
• Rob Walker (Sports Commentator)

FAQs

When can I apply to the University of Exeter for courses starting in 2025?

You can apply to the University of Exeter through the UCAS Portal. Here are the deadlines for the applications:

• UCAS applications are open as of September 3rd, 2024
• The deadline for applying to medicine courses is October 15th, 2024
• The application deadline for international students is June 30th, 2025

What is the acceptance rate for the University of Exeter?

The university has an acceptance rate of about 70%, indicating that well-qualified applicants have a strong chance of admission. To improve your chances, ensure you meet all the requirements and deadlines when applying and write a personal statement that highlights your achievements, goals, and your passion for the chosen field of study.

Are there any exceptions to the standard tuition fees at the University of Exeter?

Yes, there are specific situations where different tuition fee rates apply:

• The standard tuition fee for BMBS Medicine is charged annually for the first four years. In the fifth year, tuition fees are covered by the NHS if current external funding arrangements remain in place.
• For students on a four-year programme with a full academic year abroad, a reduced fee of £1,385 (approximately 15% of the maximum fee for that year) is applied. For students spending a full year on a work placement in the UK or abroad, the fee is reduced to £1,850 (20% of the maximum fee for that year).

What is the work placement rate of the University of Exeter?

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey, the placement rate of the university is 92% within six months of graduation. Work placement modules/programmes are available for most undergraduate and some master’s degree programmes offered by the University of Exeter. This, in combination with degree apprenticeships offered by the university, can set graduates on a promising career path.