Living in Exeter 

Exeter is the ultimate student destination—a modern city with a rich history, and one of the UK’s best places to live, work, and study. 

Explore the city's history as you stroll along its cobbles streets and through its Roman ruins. Or enjoy an outdoor adventure at the nearby sandy beaches and beautiful national parks of the Devon countryside.

Apart from its scenic views and history, this city pulses with energy coming from its large student population and vibrant atmosphere.

Why students love Exeter

Exploring Exeter and beyond

Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral

Admire the beauty of this magnificent cathedral, considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture.

Dartmoor National Park
Totnes
Exeter Cathedral
Historic Quayside
Princesshay
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Exeter promises a bright future for graduates. The city boasts one of the fastest-growing economies in the UK (Irwin Mitchell ‘UK Powerhouse’ report May 2022), with rapid expansion expected in digital technology, environmental science and advanced engineering. Whatever sector you’re in, you’ll find a wealth of local employment opportunities here. 

You’ll be spoilt for food choices in Exeter, with a wide selection of restaurants and cafés serving global cuisine, from Thai and Chinese to Indian and American. 

Just a stone's throw away from the INTO Center, you will find The Forum which hosts a range of international food events across the year. 

You'll also find Exeter Street Food Market during the summer or pick local produce from regular farmers' markets across the city. 

Being a student city, it’s easy to live here on a budget. Here’s an estimated price of some daily expenses to help you budget (for illustrative purposes only, actual costs may vary):

Transport (single journey) 

£3 

Eating out (inexpensive meal) 

£18 

Weekly grocery shop 

£34 

Cappuccino (regular) 

£3.50 

Cinema ticket 

£9 

University accommodation (weekly) 

£106 

Sources include Numbeo.com 2023   

The university is a 10-minute bus ride from the city center, with buses running regularly between the campus and city. As the city center is compact, you'll find it easy to travel around on foot or by bicycle.

Exeter also has great rail links, with 8 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's a wide array of cultural and artistic experiences to explore in Exeter, coming from local talents and global influences. Broaden your creativity with these fun activities while you study in Exeter. 

  • Museums and art galleries – visit the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and St. Nicholas Priory for world-class collections and art exhibitions. You’ll also find an extensive collection of artefacts relating to the history of cinema at The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum at the University of Exeter, as well as thousands of diverse artworks around the campus. 

  • Theater – watch theater performances at Exeter Northcott, an on-campus repertory theater venue, which hosts productions by touring companies and amateur societies. You can also go to Exeter Barnfield Theatre or Cygnet Theatre for community theater shows. 

  • Live music – attend large music concerts at the Exeter Corn Exchange and Westpoint or listen to live music on campus. 

  • Festivals – Exeter has a bustling calendar of events and festivals. You can participate in Exeter Festival, Exeter Craft Festival, Let's Rock Exeter at Powderham Castle, Exeter Respect Festival, and Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink. 

  • Shopping – buy your favorite brands in the Princesshay or explore independent shops in Fore Street and McCoy's Arcade to find rare and vintage items. 

Discover more things to do in Exeter here

Exeter not only has rugby and football but also watersport competitions, taking advantage of rivers and beaches. You can watch or join annual dragon boat racing and rowing events. You can also visit its beautiful national parks to enjoy hiking, cycling and bouldering. 

If you enjoy playing sport, visit the Sports Park on the Streatham Campus or the St. Lukes Sports Centre. There are also rock-climbing centers to try with your friends.    

International supermarkets in Exeter

Want to impress your friends with your cooking skills? Here’s where to find your local ingredients around Exeter. 

Embracing life in Exeter

Live like a local and discover why Exeter is voted as one of the best places to live in the UK. 

Student life at INTO Exeter

Join our Instagram community to meet our students, discover beautiful Exeter and find out what life is like studying with us! 


King's Wharf, Quayside photo by Ian Capper.