Across both our campuses in Exeter, we have excellent facilities including many different indoor and outdoor pitches, squash courts, gyms with the latest fitness equipment and free-weight areas, exercise studios and sports halls. We also have an indoor pool at St Luke’s, an outdoor one at the Streatham Campus, a fleet of firefly dinghies at the Roadford RYA Sailing Centre and a well-equipped boathouse on the Exeter canal.
Athletic Union
The Athletic Union is responsible for coordinating all the sports clubs which provide both competitive and recreational sport. Students of all skill levels are welcome. You’ll find all the major field sports, plus a lot of water sports (Exeter’s location is perfect), martial arts and many more indoor and outdoor sports. The intramural sport programme has over 2,000 students participating across a range of activities including 5-a-side and 11-a-side football, badminton, basketball, mixed hockey and mixed netball. The Sports Volunteering Scheme goes from strength to strength, with over 100 of our students helping to provide sporting opportunities for children in Exeter. More information can be found on our Athletic Union website.
Sports clubs in Exeter
| American Football | Football | Rowing | Taekwondo |
| Archery | Gliding | Rugby League | Tennis |
| Athletics | Golf | Rugby Union | Trampolining |
| Badminton | Hockey | Sailing | Triathlon |
| Basketball | Jiujitsu | Snooker and Pool | Ultimate Frisbee |
| Bike | Karate (Shotokan) | Snowsports | Volleyball |
| Canoe | Lacrosse | Speleology (Caving) | Waterpolo |
| Cheerleading and Gymnastics | Netball | Squash and Racketball | Waterski |
| Clay Shooting | Polo | Sub Aqua | Wake Board |
| Climbing | Powerkiting | Surf | Windsurfing |
| Cricket | Riding | Swimming | Kite Surfing |
| Fencing | Rifle | Table Tennis |
General recreation programme
The Sports Park in Exeter runs a varied and popular programme of fitness classes throughout the year including pump and tone, body combat, spinning and circuits as well as tai chi, yoga, zumba, pilates and pole dancing. Gym inductions are offered to all new users of fitness equipment. Personal training and fitness testing are available from highly qualified staff. Subsidised coaching, teaching and officiating courses are organised in many sports.
High performance programme
The University High Performance Programme oversees the development and delivery of our elite sporting infrastructure including the management of our focus sports and flagship Sports Scholarship Scheme. There are approximately 250 athletes across 10 focus sports on the programme.
Further information on facilities, programmes and scholarships can be found on our Sport website.
I have been lucky enough to be involved with the High Performance Badminton Programme at Exeter. This helps me to continue training and competing whilst also balancing my studies. High quality coaching and continuous support from the Director of Badminton combined with the help from strength and conditioning coaches has proved invaluable to my level of performance.
Having a Director of Badminton at the University has significantly improved the training and competitive opportunities available for players, especially to integrate it with studying. It’s also made it possible for me to undertake my Level 2 coaching qualification. I was able to gain experience taking coaching sessions, encouraging young children to enjoy participating in sport and exercise, as well as having the opportunity to watch top quality coaches.
I wanted to study Management with Leadership because it would give me the diverse skills necessary to stand out as a graduate. The lecturers are very approachable and very supportive. Such a supportive network of people, the training opportunities and the excellent facilities are all contributing to an invaluable University university experience.
Minty Gilders, 3rd year BA Management with Leadership
