Exeter - Student View

It's small by Oxford standards, both in terms of numbers and size. This makes for a particularly close-knit community, in which everyone gets to know one another very quickly. It is apolitical and unpretentious and, although it excels in many spheres, is not dominated by any particular sporting, academic or cultural group, nor by those from any type of school or region. Male:female ratio is healthy.

Very central and close to libraries (Bodleian is adjacent to the Fellows' Garden), shops, theatres and cinemas, other colleges, the best pubs in Oxford, the Oxford Union, clubs and bars, and the High Street (from where you could be in central London within 90 minutes on a well-serviced bus route); university gym and college sports grounds are only a few minutes away by bike.

College centres around two adjoining quads, the front quad dominated by the enormous chapel, modelled on San Chapelle. The back garden (Fellows' Garden) is a beautiful spot for reading or having lunch, and is a particularly social venue in summer term when it also hosts an outdoor rock concert, featuring college bands and musicians (spectacular view of Radcliffe Square from its back wall).

A thriving bar, with popular table football and amusement machines, never deserted and hosts bar sports matches (pool, darts and so on) and college 'bops' (parties with DJs, themes and cheap cocktails). Students can get paid work in the bar. Annual ball one of the cheapest in Oxford, with about 700 people in bars and marquees set up in the quads and gardens, live bands, DJs, comedians and entertainers, dodgem cars etc.

Academically strong (usually near the top of the Oxford league tables). Does well in most sports (though not top in any particular sport); rowing consistently good; rugby and football popular (both male and female teams in both), as is netball.

Relations between students and fellows or staff are very friendly.

Facilities include ample computers, music practice room and communal kitchen, Sky TV, a smoking TV room and a main TV room (the JCR), and a lecture room with new audio-visual equipment, well-stocked college library (open 24 hours), laundry services. Everyone has key to college. Own well-organised and well-supported charity, Exvac - students take local underprivileged and troubled children on Easter holidays.

Prominent chapel community; chapel services well attended and active Christian Union hosts eg quiz evenings. Good art collection (students may borrow pieces for their rooms), an art society and drama society. Flourishing music: excellent choir (organises annual Turl Streets Art Festival with Jesus and Lincoln colleges); music society organises regular recitals, musical evenings (students perform any pieces they choose), extremely popular rock evening in the college bar. and Exeter's own Party-in-the-Park, an outdoor student rock concert in the Fellows' Garden.