University of Exeter crest

University of Exeter

Exeter, United Kingdom • Founded 1922 • QS 2027 #136

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: exeter.ac.uk

Overview

English Name: University of Exeter
Founded: 1922
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #136 Times Higher Education 2026 #170 = ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #151-200 CWTS Leiden 2025 #35 SCImago 2026 #261
Motto: Lucem sequimur
Colours: Green and white
University of Exeter crest

University of Exeter is a public research university in South West England, tracing its origins to a school founded in 1855 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1955.

It operates across three campuses: Streatham and St Luke's in Exeter, Devon, and Penryn in Cornwall. Research and education for the Medical School also takes place at the Knowledge Spa in Truro.

In the 2025/26 academic year the university enrolled close to 29,800 students, made up of about 23,700 undergraduates, 4,300 taught postgraduates and 1,800 research postgraduates, with international students forming around 18 percent of that total. Exeter employs close to 6,000 full-time-equivalent staff, split almost evenly between academic and professional-services roles.

It belongs to the Russell Group, the group of UK research-intensive universities, and was rated Gold across the board in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework.

Operating under Royal Charter (RC000653) as an exempt charity, the university teaches everything from foundation-level courses through undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to doctoral research, across faculties spanning sciences, humanities, social sciences, medicine and business.

Location & Contact

University of Exeter's physical location and contact details are listed below.

Address: Mail Room, The Old Library Prince of Wales Road
Postal Code: EX4 4SB
Other Sites: Also Research Centres and Institutes
Phone: +44 (1392) 661 000
Fax: +44 (1392) 263 857
Social Media:

Academic Details

Enrolment, faculty headcount, and accreditation data for University of Exeter are listed below.

Academic Year: October to June(October-December; January-March; April-June)
Recognition: Privy Council
Admission Requirements: Undergraduate applications go through UCAS (institution code EXETR/E84; Penryn campus code C), applying between 1 September and the January equal-consideration deadline. Institution-wide minimum English-language requirement is IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component (Profile A, the university's lowest programme profile; individual courses may require a higher profile). International qualification equivalencies: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/international/entry/
Total Students: 33,105
Female Students: 17,955
Academic Staff Range: 1,500-1,999
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) European University Association (EUA) Universities UK

Academic Structures

University of Exeter's faculties, schools, institutes, and constituent units are listed below.

Unit 6 items
  • College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
  • College of Humanities
  • College of Life and Environmental Sciences
  • College of Social Sciences and International Studies
  • Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
  • The Business School

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences (College) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Mining Engineering
  • Physics
  • Production Engineering
  • Statistics
Humanities (College) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Classical Languages
  • English
  • Film
  • Theatre
  • Theology
Life and Environmental Sciences (College) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biochemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Ecology
  • Geography
  • Health Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Sports
  • Zoology
Medical Sciences (College) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Surgery
Social Sciences and International Studies (College) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arabic
  • Education
  • Islamic Studies
  • Law
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Sociology
Business (School) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Econometrics
  • Economics
  • Leadership
  • Marketing

Programs Offered

University of Exeter's programme catalogue is grouped by level below.

213 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Master of Business Administration 1 programme

Master's Degree 162 programmes

Showing 10 of 162.

Doctorate 40 programmes

MPhil/PhD Arab and Islamic Studies
Islamic & Quranic Studies
Start: September or January

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil/PhD Archaeology
Archaeology
Start: September, January or April

A good undergraduate degree (in the UK, at least an upper second class honours) in a relevant subject A taught Masters degree in a relevant subject

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil/PhD Art History and Visual Culture
Art History
Start: September, January or April

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil/PhD Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences
Start: September, January or April

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil/PhD Classics and Ancient History
History
Start: September, January or April

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil/PhD Climate Change and Environment
Environmental Sciences
Start: September, January or April

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil/PhD Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Start: September, January or April

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MPhil/PhD Computer Science
Computer Sciences
Start: September, January or April

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 40.

Professional Doctorate 3 programmes

MD Doctor of Medicine
Medicine

2:1 Honors degree (or equivalent), or an MSc in a related subject. Normally a strong background in the field of study at undergraduate level or an MSc in a related subject that would underpin the knowledge required to co...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

MS Master of Surgery
Operating Room & Surgical Technology

2:1 Honors degree (or equivalent), or an MSc in a related subject. Normally a strong background in the field of study at undergraduate level or an MSc in a related subject that would underpin the knowledge required to co...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Certificate 6 programmes

PGCE Teacher Training
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma 1 programme

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Below are scholarships available to students in the United Kingdom.

Access to Exeter Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 2,370 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
£2,370 a year for household income of £16,000 or below, or £1,380 a year for household income between £16,001 and £25,000; awarded automatically to home undergraduates with household income under £30,000.
Anning-Morgan Bursary
University funded · 2,000 GBP per total · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A £2,000 bursary for postgraduate students resident in Cornwall while studying at the Penryn or Truro campus.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary
University funded · Renewable · 1,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A £1,000 annual bursary for undergraduates who are recognised care leavers or estranged from both parents or carers.
Choral and Organ Scholarships
University funded · International students · Renewable · 3,700 GBP per year
Paid choral and organ scholar positions with partner churches and the university's own Chapel Choir, worth between £300 and £3,700 a year depending on the post.
Devon Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · 250 GBP per year
An entrance award of up to £250 a year for students born in Devon or who have lived there for at least three years.
Exeter Excellence Scholarship (Postgraduate Taught)
University funded · International students · 10,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A reduction of £3,000, £5,000 or £10,000 off first-year international tuition fees for selected Master's programmes in Business, Finance & Management, Computer and Data Science, and Engineering.
Exeter Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate)
University funded · International students · Renewable · 5,000 GBP per year · Partial Tuition
A reduction of £3,000 or £5,000 each year off international tuition fees for outstanding undergraduate applicants.
Family and Friends Discount Scheme
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 20% discount on first-year tuition fees for family members or friends of Exeter alumni who enrol on an eligible postgraduate programme.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
Horwill Memorial Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · 125 GBP per year
An entrance award of up to £125 a year for undergraduates connected to Post Office employment in the South West.
Mature Students' Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · 2,000 GBP per year · Living Stipend · Covers Living
A cash award of £2,000 in year one and £1,000 in year two for home undergraduates aged 25 or over starting their first degree.
Penryn Campus Bus Transport Bursary
University funded · International students · 200 GBP per total · Travel
A one-off £200 payment for Penryn Campus students who regularly commute to campus by bus, prioritised by household income.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Sanctuary Scholarship
University funded · Renewable · 11,500 GBP per year · Full Tuition · Covers Living
A full tuition fee waiver plus a living-cost grant for asylum seekers and refugees who cannot access student finance, covering undergraduate and full-time doctoral study.
Sports Scholarship Scheme
University funded · Renewable · 3,000 GBP per year
A cash sum of up to £3,000 a year for sporting expenses, tailored to the athlete's level, plus a support package of coaching, physiotherapy and lifestyle mentoring worth £3,500 or more a year.
Student Carers Travel Fund
University funded · Renewable · 400 GBP per year · Travel
Up to £400 a year towards travel costs for verified undergraduate student carers.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A 20% reduction in first-year tuition fees for Exeter alumni progressing to most standalone postgraduate programmes.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to University of Exeter

The application path for University of Exeter, in five steps.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of Exeter runs 213 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Before applying to University of Exeter, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United Kingdom.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of Exeter's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Apply through UCAS or direct entry

    Route your application through UCAS (ucas.com) for undergraduate entry to University of Exeter. For postgraduate entry, apply directly through University of Exeter's own admissions portal at www.exeter.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1392) 661 000. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of Exeter

Frequently asked questions about University of Exeter.

When was University of Exeter founded?

University of Exeter was established in 1922 (approximately 104 years ago).

Where is University of Exeter located?

University of Exeter is located in Exeter, United Kingdom.

What is University of Exeter's control type?

It is a public higher-education institution.

What is the student enrolment at University of Exeter?

Student enrolment at University of Exeter is around 33,105.

Where does University of Exeter stand in university rankings?

It ranks QS 2027 #136.

What qualification levels does University of Exeter offer?

University of Exeter offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

What is University of Exeter's academic structure?

University of Exeter is organised into 6 academic units across its disciplines.

Is University of Exeter officially recognised?

The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.

Where can I learn more about University of Exeter?

University of Exeter's official website is www.exeter.ac.uk.

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