University of Exeter logo

University of Exeter

Exeter, UK · Ranking #16

The University of Exeter is a public research university in Devon and Cornwall, with its main Streatham and St Luke’s campuses in Exeter and the Penryn and Truro campuses in Cornwall. Granted a Royal Charter in 1955, its roots lie in 19th‑century institutions such as St Luke’s College and the Camborne School of Mines. Exeter is organised into three faculties: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Environment, Science and Economy; and Health and Life Sciences, and is known for strengths in business, environmental and climate science, biosciences, medicine, humanities and social sciences. It has around 33,000 students, over 7,000 of whom are international from more than 150 countries. Exeter is consistently ranked in the UK top 15 and global top 200, with a green, landscaped main campus and strong links to industry and policy.

University of Exeter logo

University of Exeter

About the university

The University of Exeter is a public research university in Devon and Cornwall, with its main Streatham and St Luke’s campuses in Exeter and the Penryn and Truro campuses in Cornwall. Granted a Royal Charter in 1955, its roots lie in 19th‑century institutions such as St Luke’s College and the Camborne School of Mines. Exeter is organised into three faculties: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Environment, Science and Economy; and Health and Life Sciences, and is known for strengths in business, environmental and climate science, biosciences, medicine, humanities and social sciences. It has around 33,000 students, over 7,000 of whom are international from more than 150 countries. Exeter is consistently ranked in the UK top 15 and global top 200, with a green, landscaped main campus and strong links to industry and policy.

Key information

  • Location: Exeter, UK
  • Ranking #16
  • QS #163
  • THE #153
  • US News #200
  • National ranking #17
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Faculty of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Environment Science and Economy (including University of Exeter Business School)
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (including Medical School and Psychology)

Programs (29)

  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Philosophy
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Music

Student body

  • Total students: 33,000
  • Undergraduate: 23,000
  • Graduate: 10,000
  • International students: 25%

Campus life

The Streatham campus is one of the UK’s most beautiful, with extensive gardens, woodland and modern teaching buildings. St Luke’s and the Cornwall campuses offer smaller, close‑knit environments. Students’ Guild and the Cornwall Students’ Union run societies, sports clubs and events. Accommodation includes a range of halls and nearby private housing. Exeter and Falmouth are safe, student‑friendly cities with easy access to beaches and countryside, and the university’s international student support services help with visas, settling‑in and academic skills.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: £650 - £1,400 / per month

Housing options

  • On‑campus self‑catered halls (standard
  • en‑suite and studio rooms)
  • Catered halls (single and twin rooms)
  • Penryn campus halls in Cornwall
  • Private rented houses and flats in Exeter and Falmouth/Penryn

Student clubs and organizations

  • Students’ Guild (Exeter) and Students’ Union (Penryn) societies
  • Academic and subject societies
  • Cultural and international student groups
  • Volunteering and community projects
  • Arts and performance societies

Sports

  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Hockey
  • Rowing
  • Netball
  • Tennis
  • Cricket
  • Athletics
  • Other BUCS and recreational sports through Exeter Sports Park and campus facilities

Career & internships

Employment rate: 92%

Partner companies

  • Met Office
  • Exeter City Council

Internships: Many Exeter degrees offer industrial placements, year‑abroad or work‑experience options, particularly in business, engineering, environmental science and some social sciences. The university collaborates closely with employers, government and NGOs, and Careers Service provides guidance, skills workshops, employer fairs and mentoring programmes. International students can access placements within visa rules, gaining UK or overseas work experience that enhances graduate prospects.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • UCAS or online application
  • Academic transcripts and certificates
  • Personal statement
  • Academic reference
  • Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
  • Passport copy
  • Additional materials for some courses (e.g. portfolio for art/design
  • admissions tests or interviews)

Tuition costs

  • £32,000 - £62,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 18.00%
  • Scholarships available: The University of Exeter offers a variety of scholarships for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including merit‑based global excellence scholarships and country‑specific awards. Typical awards are partial tuition fee reductions of several thousand pounds per year, with some larger scholarships for academic excellence or specific subjects (for example business, STEM or environment). Funding is competitive and usually based on academic performance, fee status as an overseas student and short supporting statements. Details of schemes, values and deadlines are updated annually on the university’s fees and funding pages.

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1955
  • Teaching languages: English, english
  • Study formats: offline

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