Exeter University - Student View

It's campus-based, set in beautiful grounds and around 15 mins' walk from the city centre, train and bus stations. St. Luke's campus (courses in education, sports science and medicine) is just 20 mins across the city.

Also new University of Exeter in Cornwall, a striking initiative 170 miles away, where some natural sciences are taught. An abundance of accommodation; every first year guaranteed a place in halls. You can opt to live in university-owned self-catering accommodation but vast majority are in catered halls (eg new Holland Hall. Pennsylvania Court). Private accommodation is plentiful, of good standard and within comfortable walking distance of both campuses (lucky, as parking is limited).

Teaching is high quality and academically it is well regarded. The modular degree makes education flexible and it's easy to change course in the first year (particularly as the Guild has a dedicated education officer); perhaps that accounts for relatively low dropout rate. University is committed to increasing access for students with disabilities (new disability advice centre, which has helped).

Success in sport is a point of pride: rated as sixth best in UK. Major redevelopment of facilities and sports grounds has provided 2 astro pitches, a refurbished gym, an all-weather rubber-crumb rugby pitch and an indoor tennis centre.

Guild of Students (student union) provides a range of welfare, support and representation as well as a variety of trading outlets - 2 bars, a nightclub (due for a major refit), 3 coffee bars, a resource centre, a well-stocked shop and travel agent. RAG recently raised £70,000 for worthy causes through hitches, raids, club nights and the infamous Safer Sex Ball.

A large and well-run community action organisation: its student volunteers put in some of the best community-based work in the south-west. If this isn't enough, the guild provides over 120 societies and clubs and has an excellent entertainments programme with acts such as Joss Stone, Keane, the Zutons, Franz Ferdinand and Goldie Lookin' Chain.