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About School 
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Accessibility University of Exeter (EU)
Located in the South West of England, University of Exeter was founded and received its Royal Charter in 1955. It is ranked 6th in the UK, 8th in Europe, and is in the top 40 list in world according to the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2015. To date, it has over 20,000 students from more than 130 countries. University of Exeter has three campuses: Streatham and St Luke’s (in Exeter) and Penryn (in Cornwall).
School's main website | International/Exchange student website
GPA requirement:
3.00 / 4.00
Language of instruction:
English
Courses:
All the subjects offered by the University of Exeter (excluding modules taught at Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry) at undergraduate level are open to exchange students, provided that students meet any academic criteria or pre-requisites that may be set. Remember, however, that not all modules will run in any given year.
Course descriptions can be found in respective college’s webpage!
Pre-sessional English course
University of Exeter provides Pre-sessional English course that runs for six or ten weeks to prepare students for university study in the UK. It offers intensive preparation in academic English for students with qualified academic and holds an offer to start an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the University of Exeter, but need to improve their English language level before starting. You can know more about the Pre-sessional English course and apply for it here!
Course registration process:
Students can either register through the UK UCAS system (of which prospective students need to register for application and track their progress from the website) or apply through INTO University of Exeter (which provides Foundation or Diploma programme for international students).
UCAS is a UK-based universities and colleges admission service that operates the application process for British universities. The website also provides detailed entry requirements for each specific programme in the university.
INTO University provides a pathway for international students to enter directly into the second year of university at the University of Exeter, having passed certain grade requirements. The university does not impose any attendance restriction. However, as international students who need UK Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, attendance will be monitored and reported back to the UK Visas & Immigration Department. For more information, please refer to the following here!
Attendance policy:
Any student who is absent from a course for more than 2 classes in a module without adequate excuse, his/her attendance will be deemed “unsatisfactory”. Persistent absence without good cause will lead to implementation of the procedures for dealing with unsatisfactory students and, could ultimately lead to withdrawal from the University.
The university has three campuses, with its main campus being the Streatham Campus. This main campus is one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, with gardens and sculptures around the area!
Campus map:
You can find virtual tours and interactive map of the university here!
Selected facilities:
1. Northcott Theatre
The campus offers comprehensive facilities, including its very own theatre which showcases Exeter’s professional repertory. The theatre has close involvement with the University of Exeter’s Arts & Culture Strategy which maximises the opportunities on campus for student.
2. Students’ Guild Lemon Grove
For arts and music, the campus has its Students’ Guild Lemon Grove (also known as ‘the Lemmy’) for campus bands and other concerts. It is the Student Guild’s concert venue based in Cornwall House on the Streatham Campus.
3. The Bill Douglas Centre for the History Cinema and Popular Culture
The Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture is both a museum and academic research centre for University of Exeter. It houses one of Britain’s largest public collections of books, prints, artefacts, and ephemera relating to the history and prehistory of cinema.
Students are allowed to use most of the sports facilities in the university without a membership. However, it is required for students to apply for membership to use the Russell Seal Fitness Center and St Luke’s Gym.
1. Sports Center
For sports, there is a tennis centre with four indoor and four outdoor courts and five squash courts. There is also a heated indoor swimming pool in St Luke’s campus which can be useful during winter, and an outdoor swimming pool in Streatham’s. Not to forget, the Russell Seal Fitness Centre that boasts a 200-station air-conditioned health and fitness studio, two exercise studios and a physiotherapy suite.
2. Outdoor Sports
Students can also enjoy outdoor sports in the Topsham Sports Ground which hosts two soccer pitches, two minor-counties standard cricket squares, lacrosse facilities, Olympic-standard water-based synthetic pitch for hockey. There is also the Exeter Canal which can be used for canoeing. You can find the comprehensive list of all sports facilities available here!
Food on campus:
Some of the student dormitories provide catering every morning and dinner. In addition to that, there are many campus cafes, bars and shops which provide a range of English food and other fusion delicacies with good eating / studying ambience. For reference to some of the cafes in the Streatham campus, visit here!
Flying Chalks’ recommendation: For a fancier place with good ambience to dine for special occasions, do check out the Reed Hall (pictures below)!
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Campus transportation:
The university provides a minibus from the St David’s train station – the main train station in Exeter. There are also public buses that run to the city’s High Street (Bus D) or to the St David’s station (Bus H). In any case, Exeter is a relatively small city where everywhere is within walking distance!
The University of Exeter offers its students rich and fulfilling undergraduate/postgraduate experience through participating in societies such as kung fu, photography, muay thai, dance, forensics, film, knitting, and many more.
Orientation program:
University of Exeter holds a 4-day orientation program for all new international students, Erasmus, and International Exchange. During the orientation program, you get to find out all important information about the University, the support available to you, and you get to meet your college tutors. Complete schedule for the orientation program can be accessed here!
Aside from that, University of Exeter also arranges a number of social activities during the week such as Evening Quiz and Buffet, Afternoon Tea, and Seaside Day Trip. Each event is subsidized but it also has limited slots. You can get yourself the ticket by purchasing it in advance when you book your place on the Orientation program or you can buy it online when you arrive.
Buddy program:
Global Chums is the University of Exeter’s biggest mentor scheme with over 300 students taking part every year. A student who has studied at Exeter for at least one year (mentor) will be assigned to a group up to 4 people. They will help you answer all your concerns, settle in quickly, feel comfortable, and meet some local students. If you are interested in participating, you can register here! Places are limited and the allocation is on a first come, first served basis.
For students going through INTO University of Exeter, there will be plenty of “student helpers” who will be delighted to provide tips and answer your questions. They will also guide you in your UCAS application process when you want to enter your second year at the University of Exeter. The Coordinator at INTO will arrange gatherings for students to meet with Student Helpers and you can ask as many questions you would like.
Student clubs:
University of Exeter offers its students with over 200 societies to choose from, ranging from Baking to Longboarding, Dancing to Theatre. Popular groups include the Hip Hop Society, Exploration, Bee Soc, and the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Society. You can check the full list of the clubs here!
The Athletic Union (AU), which is the University of Exeter’s Student sports club, currently have 50 active sports clubs, all of which are student-led by an elected Club Captain and their committee. The clubs range from American Football, Archery, to extreme sports like Caving and Climbing. Whether you have Olympic standard or you just simply want to try out a new sport whilst studying, all the clubs welcome athletes of all experiences and abilities! Find out more about the sports clubs here!
Societies are represented by the Societies Executives and clubs that come under it include Academic and Employability Society, Fitness and Wellbeing Society, Outdoor and Adventure Society, Arts and Culture Society, International Society, Political, Campaigning, and Causes Society, Faith and Worldview Society, Music Society, and Recreational Society.
University events:
1. Cultural Events
The International Student Support office, in collaboration with Students’ Guild Societies, organizes a number of cultural events on campus. All these events are open to students and staff and public. Events will be added throughout the year and publicized through the International News and News in Brief.
2. Public Diwali Celebrations
The university organizes Public Diwali Celebrations which includes activities, food, dancing, fireworks, and many more. This event is held in November and is open to public!
3. Thanksgiving Lunch (Streatham Campus)
The Thanksgiving Lunch is normally held in November. Staff and students are welcomed to join the annual slap up two course turkey Thanksgiving Lunch (vegetarian Nut Roast option available).
4. Christmas Day Lunch (Streatham Campus)
Held in December, University of Exeter also hosts a Christmas Day Lunch which includes welcome drink, two course lunch (vegetarian option available), and games!
5. Public Chinese New Year Celebrations
The Chinese New Year Celebrations regularly attract 2500 visitors. They also organize activities, dragons and lions dance, afternoon entertainment from the Chinese students, food, and fireworks finale.
Located in the Southwest of England, Exeter is situated on the River exe in the county of Devonshire. Although it is full of character and ancient history, Exeter is still able to offer all the amenities and comforts that a modern day city is expected to have. Exeter is the capital city of Devon and provides the county with a central base for education, medicine, religion, commerce, and culture.
Despite full of character and ancient history, Exeter is still able to offer all the amenities and comforts that would be expected of a modern day city.
For food:
When in England, students should truly experience the English culture of having afternoon tea. Particularly in Devon, the people there place importance on having cream tea (scones spread with clotted cream and jam). Fish and chips and traditional English breakfast are always the typical English food, along with Shepherd’s Pie and Sunday Roast. Any pubs in Exeter will have similar menu, but one of the all-time favourites is the Wetherspoons’. You can find out more about the recommended food places here!
For nightlife and entertainment:
Exeter is a small city with only one common club for students, i.e. Arena (now Unit1). There are other clubs such as Mosaic, Timepiece and the Cavern, if you fancy something different.
For daily necessities and groceries:
There are a number of groceries store available in the city, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose (a bit further from the city), John Lewis, and Asda (also a bit far from the centre). These stores generally offer online groceries where they can deliver the items right to your doorstep! In addition, there are many smaller stores around the neigbourhood area for convenience.
1. Tesco
2. Sainsbury’s
3. Marks & Spencer
4. Waitrose
5. John Lewis
6. Asda
For shopping:
Exeter’s High Street has a number of shops, which stretches all the way to the Guildhall Shopping Centre. However, as in other countryside areas in the UK, shops normally close by 6-7pm and 5pm on Sundays. Some of the shopping places in Exeter:
1. Princesshay Quarter is located at the heart of the city. It is a place for many fabulous shops, cafes, and restaurants.
2. Cathedral Quarter is also located at the heart of the city with the beautiful 800 year old Cathedral and with classic independent shops.
3. Guildhall and Harlequins undercover shopping centres are home to more familiar stores and small individual businesses.
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For leisure:
1. The Quay
The quay is a place where you can rent a bike or stroll around the area while having ice cream and enjoying the view and the swans!
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2. Gandy Street
Gandy Street is the area which inspired J.K. Rowling on Diagon Alley in her Harry Potter series!
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3. Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral is the place where you can have an afternoon tea with Devon traditional scones, while admiring the beauty of the Cathedral and the greens.
4. Northernhay Gardens
Northernhay Gardens is the best place for you to bring your friends to have a picnic at the park and venture around the Exeter Castle. They often hold Exeter Food Festival at the Gardens too!
5. Exmouth Beach
Exmouth Beach is the perfect place for spring or summer plan! You can take a half-an-hour train to Exmouth or cycle all the way to the beach.
Getting from London Heathrow or Gatwick Airport to Exeter:
For international students outside the continent, you may have to fly to London Heathrow or Gatwick airport first and take a train or bus ride from there to Exeter. It is around 2.5-hour train ride (by gWr) and a 4-hour coach ride from Heathrow airport (by National Express). From the train or coach station, you can take a cab ride home or to the university. Taxi fare in the city is not very expensive given the short distance to almost everywhere, as the city is relatively small.
The University offers a “Meet and Greet Service” from Heathrow Airport in September prior to the Orientation Programme, also known as Welcome Week. Once your acceptance has been confirmed you will be sent an information pack, and details of the Meet & Greet Service and Welcome Week will be sent out prior to your arrival. If you do not use this service you will need to travel independently to your allocated campus. There are several ways to get from Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol or Exeter Airports to the Exeter or Cornwall Campuses.
Further travel information is available at:
www.traveline.org.uk has up-to-date information on travelling by public transport.
www.nationalexpress.com has information on coach travel and bookings.
