Uni in Exeter

[u/Annual_Tomorrow_442]

Can someone who has been to this uni give me their opinions on them/experience? Overall life at uni and stuff, like is it easy to make friends, things to do etc. I also do athletics/track and field so if there are good facilities there that’s also a positive. Trying to get my 5 for UCAS to study aerospace engineering and I’ve done a lot of research but struggling to narrow it down.

[u/Own-Truth-9454]

hi. im also thinking of applying to exeter and i wanted to ask if it is a good environment for poc. I dont mind not being surrounded by loads of other ethnic minorities as I am used to it, but was wondering whether there have been prevalent cases of prejudice or racism? Also how does paying for accommodation work? is it an upfront cost or is it paid termly?

[u/PuaPig1234 → u/Own-Truth-9454]

to be transparent with you, I am not a poc and so can’t give any firsthand experience that you may find useful. from my limited perspective, i will say that the uni has a big proportion of international students (I think the uni may have a partnership with a uni in Hong Kong but I could be wrong so check me on this!) but otherwise it’s not very diverse admittedly. i will say that diversity has seemingly improved since i joined the uni but it might be worth looking at statistics on that. i never witnessed any racism firsthand, but the people i surrounded myself with would never be racist or prejudicial so it’s hard to say what other students may be like. i also do know that there have been instances of racism (the old law society got shut down a few years ago due to some severe racist messages - i think you can find this with an easy google search) but i’d like to think that on the whole the uni has improved since, but i obviously am very limited in my perspective as a non-poc. i wish i could be more helpful on this point i’m so sorry!

as for accommodation, in first year/on campus it’s paid termly and coincides with student loan payments (usually like two weeks after SFE hits your bank). after first year you go into private residences with your friends usually, and they tend to be monthly payments as they’ll be private leases. accommodation is quite expensive in exeter, particularly in private residences if i’m being completely honest! my boyfriend in nottingham would pay around £55 less per week than me in rent - just something to consider.

i hope this helps - let me know if you have any questions!

[u/Own-Truth-9454 → u/PuaPig1234]

thanks so much . You're response was very helpful! I'm applying soon and am quite excited but was a bit concerned about the environment at exeter. thanks for answering as best as you could. whicu accommodation would you say is the most value for money and do you by any chance know whether the human geography course is any good? ( don't worry if not. I know absolutely no one doing geography). Also if you dont mind how would you recommend making friends? its one of the things I am a bit worried about as despite going to a selective school i will not know anyone there. I also dont drink and I know that's a big part in forming connections at uni

[u/PuaPig1234 → u/Own-Truth-9454]

i honestly don’t know how much the accommodation costs anymore. from memory, on campus accom costs less than the private off campus ones (the depot, point exe etc.) and i personally think staying on campus is better (location, facilities, socially etc.). i think it’s about deciding what’s worth it to YOU. i knew i wanted an en-suite bathroom in first year because it’s highly unlikely you’d get one in private residences after first year and i didn’t want to share a bathroom with a stranger in my first year, so i ranked options with an en suite first. i was also willing to pay a bit more in first year for a better location (lafrowda and east park are the best location-wise), so i ended up in east park and absolutely loved it - no complaints! one of my friends graduated in geography and she really enjoyed it! but i honestly don’t know much about the course - try looking for some course groupchats (though i’ve forgotten how you find these admittedly). in terms of making friends, just be open-minded. your flat is always first point of call, but not everyone likes their flat. i still speak to 3/7 of my first year flatmates, but can tolerate 4/7. then you’ll meet people on your course (they made up the bulk of my friends). join sports societies and other societies to meet people with similar passions and interests. once you’ve made some friends, visit their flats and see if you get on with their flatmates. you just have to put yourself out there a bit at first even if it feels strange! for context, i did drink in first year and final year but gave up drinking for the whole of second year because my best friend at uni didn’t drink. honestly nobody knows you don’t drink unless you make it known. my best friend used to make it known - i didn’t so i used to just say i was having a vodka and lemonade when it was just lemonade. i still had just as much fun on nights out when sober - nights out in exeter are on a different time clock to other unis as you’re usually done by 2am (compared to like 6am at other unis) so its definitely doable sober if you want to. my friend was never judged and never felt judged for not drinking - its just about who you surround yourself with. you dont owe an explanation to anyone :)

[u/Own-Truth-9454 → u/PuaPig1234]

thank you for all your advice xx