OVERALL UNIVERSITY RATING
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
So far, I have really enjoyed being at university. Although I am studying a subject I have never studied before, the course is structured...
University rating
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
So far, I have really enjoyed being at university. Although I am studying a subject I have never studied before, the course is structured to cater to this, so I have been able to keep up with the workload and understand information from the lectures. I get on really well with my flatmates as well as with other students on my course, which helps me feel like I have settled in well. I am far from home but the excitement of university life and the constant opportunities for participation in societies/events etc have kept me from feeling homesick. I am enjoying my course and I find it super interesting so I look forward to studying this subject for the next 4 years!
Facilities
How good are your university's facilities?
In general, the university facilities at Exeter are very good. The main lecture halls are comfortable and spacious, capable of holding entire course cohorts. The main library is also extensive and modern, but due to the high demand of educational texts, the online library system is extremely useful. The university also has subscriptions with several medical and scientific journals, which is very useful for courses requiring research in those areas.
Student support
How good is the support offered by the uni? Think both academic (tutors/feedback) and personal (counselling, etc).
Both the academic and personal support available at Exeter University is fantastic. There are levels of support to meet our needs, for example, students are assigned personal tutors, then there are module convenors, then department leaders, then faculty leaders. There are also university websites that provide information on things such as essay writing, job applications etc. In terms of personal support, there are student-run frameworks in place to help such as Nightline.
Students' union
What do you think of your Students' Union in terms of student representation and facilities?
The students' union at Exeter (students' guild) is great because there are always things going on, such as charity bake sales, promotional offers etc. There is a massive range of societies on offer, of which I am part of Psychology Society and Exeter Student Volunteers. All societies are inclusive even if your beliefs are not in line with those of the society.
Local life
Is your university in a good location in terms of distance to accommodation and local amenities?
Although relatively small in comparison to big cities such as Manchester or Leeds, the city centre is a lovely mix of old and new, with a combination of old-style architecture, Exeter Cathedral, and modern shops. With both the university and the college nearby, the city centre is often cheerfully busy. There is a wide variety restaurants, takeaways, and pubs catering to all dietary needs. The nightlife is also very good with multiple nightclubs and bars in town. Exeter has a reputation for being one of the safest cities in England which is certainly reflected while walking along the streets at night.
Societies and Sports
How would you rate the variety of societies/sports?
Exeter offers a wide variety of clubs and societies, from sports to recreational to educational, so there is always something for everyone. Societies are welcoming and fully inclusive of all students. Clubs and societies provide a welcome break from lectures and studying!
Lecturers and teaching quality
What do you like most and least about the way your course(s) are taught?
The lectures are great because the speakers are professionals in their field of research and so provide excellent insight to their subject area. The online 'ELE' website is also really useful for looking at general course info, lecture slides, and lecture recordings. We also have tutorials and practicals alongside lectures. The tutorials usually enable us to put into practice some of the things we learn in the lectures, while the practicals are similar to tutorials but are also sometimes used for research participation. I like that the longest lectures are 2 hours maximum (with a break in between), however I dislike the early morning 8.30am lectures we sometimes have.
How many contact hours per week do you have?
12
Career prospects
How does your uni make efforts to increase your employability (careers department, work placements, transferable skills)?
There are numerous volunteer-based programmes freely available for students to sign up to, such as the Exeter Award, which will look good on CVs. There is a 'Study Zone' website and area on campus where students can find out information about how to write CVs, cover letters, essays etc. The university also has ongoing employability events and talks, sometimes run by specific courses or societies, but almost always available to any student.
University halls
What do you think about the safety, condition, location and cost of your accommodation?
I really like my accommodation - Exeter One - because of the modern facilities and spacious bedrooms, as well as the double bed. It is a nice distance from campus - 15 to 20 minutes. My only complaint would be the walking distance to town, which is around half an hour, although there is a bus stop just across the road with regular buses that go into town.