Living in Exeter as a student
Live and study in one of the UK’s most beautiful locations, with easy access to national parks, stunning coastline and vibrant city life. You’ll also benefit from excellent transport links to London and other major cities, so you can explore more of the UK and access top career opportunities when you graduate.
At its heart, the University of Exeter’s self-contained campus provides a world-class learning environment. Join a close-knit, globally minded community where everything you need is within walking distance.
Why international students choose Exeter
A beautiful location over 50% cheaper than London
Living in Exeter can be highly affordable with a bit of smart planning. From scenic outdoor spaces to student-friendly activities, there’s always to do on a budget.
With rent prices up to 53% lower than in London, you can save on daily living costs and enjoy more of what Exeter has to offer.
Average prices in Exeter v London
Exeter | London | |
Coffee (cappuccino) | £3.60 | £3.90 |
Cinema ticket | £9.50 | £15 |
Meal out (inexpensive) | £15 | £20 |
Gym membership (monthly) | £40 | £57 |
Travel (student monthly pass) | £80 | From £89.90 (Tube) |
(Sources include Numbeo.com 2026)
Budget-friendly things to do: free entry to museums, free guided walking tours, a local farmers’ market and trips to the Quayside and the nearby Devon coast.
Student travel savings: 1/3 off rail travel, discounted bus passes and a bike-friendly, walkable city centre.
Support and services: £2 cinema tickets, thousands of discounts via UniDAYS, Student Beans and TOTUM, free health and wellbeing products, free finance and wellbeing advice and a hardship fund for international students.
Tasty meals for less: £2.35 hot meals on campus, affordable meal plans and loyalty rewards from on-campus cafes and shops, a free community fridge and student discounts across the city.
Everything you need on campus: enjoy the university’s world-class Sports Park, The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, Northcott Theatre and the Streatham Campus itself, which is a Registered Botanic Garden – all at no extra cost.
Where to find out more
Discover everything Exeter has to offer
Exeter offers a promising future for graduates. It has one of the UK’s fastest-growing economies (Irwin Mitchell ‘UK Powerhouse’ report, May 2022). Key industries like digital technology, environmental science and advanced engineering are expected to grow rapidly. Whatever your field, you’ll find plenty of local job opportunities.
Exeter is full of culture, art and entertainment. It's a great place to explore while you study. You’ll find local talent and global influences all around the city.
Museums and art – Visit the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and St. Nicholas Priory to see exciting exhibitions and historical displays. On campus, explore The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum and thousands of artworks around the university.
Theatre – Watch live shows at Exeter Northcott Theatre on campus. Check out community performances at Barnfield Theatre or Cygnet Theatre.
Live music – Enjoy concerts at venues like Exeter Corn Exchange and Westpoint. Or, attend live music events right on campus.
Festivals – Exeter has many fun festivals throughout the year, including food, music, craft and cultural celebrations like Exeter Festival, Let’s Rock Exeter, and Exeter Respect Festival.
Shopping – Shop popular brands at Princesshay or explore Fore Street and McCoy’s Arcade for unique and vintage finds.
The university is a 10-minute bus ride from the city centre, with buses running regularly between the campus and city. As the city centre is compact, you'll find it easy to travel around on foot or by bicycle.
Exeter also has great rail links, with train stations across the city. You can get to London by train in just over 2 hours, or to local beaches, such as Exmouth, in under 30 minutes.
For travel further afield, Exeter Airport is around 25 minutes away by taxi. Fly to Edinburgh, Manchester or countries such as Spain and Greece.
There are lots of food options in Exeter city centre. Restaurants and cafés serve food from around the world – including Thai, Chinese, Indian, and American.
On campus, you can eat at popular places like The Forum Kitchen, The Ram Bar, Pret, Starbucks and more.
In the summer, you can enjoy street food at Exeter Street Food Market or buy fresh local food at farmers’ markets around the city.
Exeter is a great city for sports – not just rugby and football, but also water sports like rowing and dragon boat racing on nearby rivers and beaches. You can watch or join fun competitions throughout the year.
If you love the outdoors, explore national parks for hiking, cycling and bouldering.
Visit the Sports Park on Streatham Campus or St Luke’s Sports Centre. You can also try indoor rock climbing with friends at local climbing centres.
What our students say
Enzo
| Philippines"When you walk through Exeter, it has a mix of modern and classical. For me, the best part is the scenery. Almost everywhere you go, you'll see fresh green spaces. Compared to universities in big cities, Exeter is very calm and relaxing."
Pathway: International Year One
Degree: BA (Hons) Management and Sustainability
Ana
| Brazil"The Penryn Campus overall is a great place. There are lots of green spaces and gardens, which is great on sunny days. The cafés on campus are also really good and serve all kinds of nice drinks and sweet treats.”
Pathway: Exeter International Foundation
Degree: BSc (Hons) Zoology
