University of Exeter

I'm a first year at Exeter and it's pretty diverse, though it depends on accommodation. I lived in Cook Mews on the cheaper end and had a mix of backgrounds. The posher students tend to go for pricier places like Birks. I haven't met loads of people due to COVID, but most seem nice and atypical. Devon isn't super diverse, but Exeter has more exchange students. COVID support was good with rent waivers and wellbeing services. Lecturers are happy to help via email. Overall, enjoyed it so far, even with some posh vibes – you get that at top unis.

My favorite thing is casually mentioning one of my lecturers to non-Physics friends, leaving them imagining a famous singer. One lecturer I had last year for Properties of Matter kept linking it to biophysics, which was really interesting. I'm looking forward to another lecturer next term, as I've heard great things. The student societies seem cool too—I got dragged into one through my housemates, and they have some pretty good socials.

Finding pet-friendly housing near Exeter was tough, but I'm in a lovely community-based neighbourhood now. The commute isn't bad, and I'm determined to make connections in town despite living a bit further out. The campus is great, but it can feel isolating at first. Still, the train trips are a good learning experience, and I'm managing financially with my own savings and a repayment plan. It's worth it for my studies and future PhD goals.

Exeter is a great place for a student with plenty to do. The Old Firehouse serves cheap alcohol and big pizzas until late, and Boston's tea party is a cozy spot for coffee and work. The Imperial pub near campus has a huge garden and affordable drinks. For activities, head to the Quay for bike rides along the river to pubs like Double Locks. Befriend someone with a car to explore Dartmoor and the better beaches beyond Exmouth. Freshers week is a must—go all in, even if it gets wild!

I'm originally from South Wales but lived in South London for two years. One of the things I love most about Exeter are the green spaces and proximity to the coastline. I once hiked from campus to Exmouth (13 miles) with a society, incredibly tiring but nice to be in nature. The quayside is good for a long walk, and the woods on Stoke Hill. You can take the train to Dartmoor. There are many community events with locals, and PhD students I've met are friendly. Easy to settle in.

Exeter is a beautiful, cosmopolitan city with a great liberal vibe, thanks to its international students. I lived in the northeast residential areas near St. Sidwell—quiet, with parks and shops, ideal for everyday life. I always felt safe walking or cycling alone, even at night. Avoid the western shore across the river; it felt faceless and run-down. For greenery or maritime charm, check out villages like Topsham. I had a wonderful time here as a student.

I paid about £170 a week for accommodation. If you want something cheaper, Lafrowda is good, though the older buildings aren't as nice. Both are only a five-minute walk to campus, which is super convenient.

One of my lecturers at Exeter commuted from Bristol every day by train. She used this to nag us about getting to lectures on time, implying that if she could do it, we had no excuse. Honestly, it felt a bit unfair and didn't really motivate me. The dedication was impressive, but her attitude came across as preachy.

Self-study is a big part of uni here. You're expected to spend a lot of time learning on your own, which is normal for a degree. Some lecturers are researchers first, so they're not always the best teachers, but they're available to help. Content focus depends on your subject; in my bioscience course it's not overly Western-centric, but that might vary in humanities.