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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
4.04.23.6749 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsI think there needs to be better access for students who do not live close by or cannot attend nights out. But the St Lukes campus has a lovely feel to it and feels safe.
Exeter is good because of the beautiful campus and the teaching staff that are really helpful.
Both Streatham and St Luke’s campuses are amazing. Both have their different charms - Streatham is very modern looking, with lots of different study spaces and infrastructure. St Luke’s, which is where I spent most of my time as a medical student, has a much more classic and timeless university feel, it is much smaller but still has everything you need. Both have lovely green spaces and sports facilities. I feel the support is generally very good, though the medical school is somewhat separate to the main university so I can’t particularly comment.
18-24 years
First gen student
I love Exeter; the staff, students, and students' guild all come together to ensure the university feels like one big community. They always reach out to students to find out how they can improve and put plans in place to make our university experience as positive as possible! The teaching is excellent, hands-on and well-delivered. The wellbeing services are outstanding, with no wait times, and they go above and beyond expectations to ensure their students feel safe and supported during their time at university. I always know where I can turn to for support and even when I'm struggling with coursework or deadlines, there is someone available to offer advice or find a way to help me get through it.
The university has adequate wellbeing and academic support for all range of students across the University. However, there is only limited shuttle bus service provided by the university, which it gets difficult for many of us get to our accommodations when we have an afternoon lesson. Hope that the university will increase or open new lines of shuttle-bus service in the future.
The campus is very beautiful, especially throughout the changing seasons here in the UK. The facilities from the sports centre to the forum and different buildings are good. Additionally, I've enjoyed exploring the different study spaces across campus. In regard to the areas of improvement, it would be useful to have a free shuttle bus service to the St. Luke's campus via town which would reduce student costs on public transport and general exhaustion because of the hilly landscape. Besides this, I'm happy with my overall student experience so far.
Maths department didn't manage covid well but has been better since. Campus is close to town and lots of societies offered.
The university is great, and the campus incredibly green with lots of study spaces, especially in the spring and summer where you can study absolutely anywhere - i.e. benches around campus gardens. The lecturers are fantastic and incredibly kind. They are also always ready to help if you have any questions, concerns, or are simply looking for an internship or job opportunity. The student's guild and wellbeing forum are always available and they make them very accessible and constantly promote them so you never forget where they are or that you can access them whenever you need to. The only negative I would say is around the module selections - they are completely randomised for some modules and if you cannot get on to your preferred module you have to fight tooth and nail to be able to access the resources and extra information which may be necessary for your further study, and get permission to audit the module you want to study. This was kind of a drawback but is something I only experienced in third year, and as far as I know is universal across UK universities. I would also mention they are not massively helpful with further study information. They have events, but it is mostly left up to you to figure out what you want, find the necessary courses and apply in your own time, while keeping up with uni work. But once again I do believe this is across all uni campuses and is simply a struggle of time management in third year. Overall I'd really recommend the uni because its a lovely place to study, and everyone, especially the professors, are genuinely nice people and always ready to help. There are a lot of hills, but at least walking to campus will keep you fit :)
Best - stunning location, very green and welcoming / homely. The Guild listens to the students' needs and works actively to help us. The buildings are slightly dated compared to other universities. 9/10 teachers are amazing, 1/10 seem like they don't teach very well but they are knowledgeable. Student life is good, there is lots to do, lots of opportunities for work and fun, but the clubbing scene isn't the best if you are used to bigger cities. Its quirky which is cool but understandably not for everyone. What we have access to at uni is amazing, lots of resources etc.
The campus is beautiful and easy to access from the town, but it is very far from the rest of the country. There are many places to study and the library is well-stocked, especially since you can request books from other universities. They do say that missing a certain number of classes will prompt a check via email, but I've never actually seen this happen, even when people do.
Love how the Penryn campus is in cornwall and next to the see and so many nice walks. It is a nice quiet campus, with an individual feeling with good accommodation on campus . Better weather would be nice haha and more events like sports etc, trips, but very good not much bad
Campus: The Penryn campus is in the beautiful county of Kernow (Cornwall) and is a great place for nature lovers with many onsite ponds, gardens and woodlands. However, this campus is not for those looking for the usual city-student lifestyle. The SU/Societies: There are many amazing events run by both the SU itself and the societies that it helps to manage. Whilst some SU events are not amazing, the committee are always listening to the wants of students and the communities of the larger number of societies on campus are the lifeblood of the student experience.
Being on the Penryn campus means I am right next to the sea which makes for some amazing days out. It is a beautiful part of Cornwall and I am very lucky to be able to study here. Everyone is very nice and welcoming, especially the University staff, making it easier to settle in faster.
Great communication and community with the department and lecturers. SU and societies aren't great as limited budget.
Exeter is the perfect student city, especially for people living away from home for the first time. Everything is within a convenient walking distance and there is only really one main high street, so unlike studying in London for instance, you won't be overwhelmed. The Streatham campus is like a completely different district of the city, up on a hill, but only twenty minutes walk from the city centre. Once you get there, you feel instantly safe and relaxed as the campus has a very welcoming atmosphere. There is also a real sense of people working hard here, a very professional environment. The Forum is the most impressive building, with a 24/7 library and a selection of handy shops- a Marketplace and a Pret A Manger. The Starbucks on the second floor is a different matter, it seems very strange to put such an expensive shop on campus- it doesn't really encourage sensible spending. There are a wide range of fantastic facilities across the campus, including many different study areas, so if one seems very busy you can always go to a different one. The University is home to many unique societies that really make the Exeter student experience. The best part of the campus is the wildlife and the trees everywhere. In my first year, I will always remember seeing two deer by the pond near the Laver building and a red fox near East Park. There is also a campus cat, Napoleon, but that doesn't stop other cats from exploring the area, along with many dogs out for walks. All things considered, the University of Exeter and especially the Streatham campus is a wonderful place to study.
Very beautiful campus with lots of lovely trees and green spaces. Mostly nice buildings. Good library. Some good professors. Pretty good societies and sports clubs. However, let down by very left wing/woke poltitical agenda, which has affected teaching and is generally found everywhere I look. Almost all emails I recieve from the uni are about some woke issue, such as BLM LGBT, climate etc, which is frankly exceedingly boring, let alone if you don't agree with it. My professor once insinuated that Cleopatra was black, despite there being not a shred of evidence. I have found entire lectures being used as propaganda for some woke issue. The climate produced by such dogmatic and domineering views and people means actual debate is silenced. I know personally professors who despise all this rubbish, but are afraid of speaking out because of the group-think, herd mentality and intolerance of opinions. I have also fond many professors, at least in my subject as teaching like primary school teachers, which i find quite insulting. Lastly I have generally found the people on my course have very little genuine inteterest and are simply doing it because, hey anicent history or archaeology sounds fun. This means there are a lot of people who frankly shouldnt be there. It is very rare I find people who are actually passionate or knowledgable about their subject. This defintely affects discourese in lectures and seminars, and i have often found myself as the only one talking.
Positives: the facilities are good, especially sporting facilities, and I’m rarely disappointed with things on campus. I receive quite a lot of support as a care experienced student, and some of the societies are fantastic, particularly the Cool Runnings running society. Some of the professors are quite talented and passionate too, particularly in the Spanish department. There are also quite a few internship roles and other ways of boosting employability. Negatives: mental health support is lacking, the most you can get if you’re not suicidal is 6 free counselling sessions, which feels token rather than empowering. Everything costs too much, and it’s only student led initiatives that cause free period products and cheap lunches to be given out rather than top down policies. Exams aren’t often handled that well, and the uni invests in vanity research projects more than it does well-being projects and help for students
Having incredibly helpful Library Correspondents and amazing library resources, as well as proper study spaces on campus has been amazing in my third year. Although the independence of University work can be quite challenging and can knock confidence. Having examples of how to structure and improve your writing in classes would be greatly beneficial.
Great university
4.3
18-24 years
It’s a lovely small campus, that’s full of greenery that always makes you feel at peace. Because it’s so small, you really get to know each other really well and lectures are smaller so you get to get closer with your professors. There’s also a lot of academic and mental health support within the uni, however,the location can be boring for some people as you really have to make your own fun (like surfing, swimming and exploring Cornwall), also public transport is not the best so having a car is a MUST.
I’m loving the course so far, my professors have such enthusiasm that makes it impossible not to be really interested in my lectures. However, there is not much academic support as we only meet our tutors every 2 weeeks, additionally, there are little scientific facilities and labs like at other campuses for marine bio (eg. Plymouth).
I love the accommodation, it’s on campus and is really close to the lecture halls, sports halls, and bus stops. It feels like you’re in the center of everything. However, despite the accommodation looking great from the outside, it does lack a bit inside. There are sunken buildings and I’m on the bottom, facing a big stone wall 3 stories down so I get no light. Additionally, the accommodation is really lacking a communal area, as it only has a table and chairs and no sofa.