Moving away from home, making new friends and adapting to life at university can be exciting and it can also be challenging. We hope that while you are at the University of Exeter you will take full advantage of all the opportunities to learn, to embrace student life to the full and to grow and develop as a person. This means developing an understanding of the things you need to do to keep yourself healthy in mind, body and spirit, and taking personal responsibility for your own wellbeing. Through our Wellbeing Services we aim to provide a range of different services and support pathways to help you with this.
For some students this may mean one-to-one support from counselling and mental health professionals; others may benefit from using online resources and self-help guides. We recognise the importance of diet and lifestyle on ability to participate fully in student life, so we offer information, advice and support to help you develop healthy habits around eating and exercise, and to have a sensible approach to alcohol. We also recognise the need to provide support for your spiritual growth through our Multi-faith Chaplaincy.
Spring 2012 saw the opening of our Student Services Centre in the Forum on the Streatham Campus. This state-of-the-art facility provides a one-stop-shop for a wide range of student enquiries, from support for students with disabilities, immigration and visa advice for international students, as well the Career Zone, accommodation, registration and Student Finance advice and support.
Within your academic department, you will have a personal tutor, with whom you can discuss any problems or general academic progress. They will be able to advise you or direct you to other sources of help for your specific circumstances. Your department will also let you know who can provide appropriate academic advice relating to specific programmes of study and modules.
Further specialist advice is available from staff in the Student Advice Unit, the Student Counselling Service, Student Skills Development, the Accessibility Service, the Accommodation Office, the International Office, the Residence Support Team and the Multi-faith Chaplaincy.
Visit our Student Services website for full details.
Student health centre
Whilst you are a student at the University you will need to register with a general practitioner (GP). There is a Student Health Centre on the Streatham Campus. The St Luke’s Campus is served by the Heavitree Health Practice, and the Cornwall Campus by Penryn Surgery.
Student advice unit
The staff of the Guild’s Student Advice Unit in Exeter and the FXU Advice Service at the Cornwall Campus can answer many of the questions or problems you might encounter, including those relating to money and housing, to personal relationships and to legal matters.
Student counselling service
The Counselling Service in Exeter and Counselling at the Cornwall Campus is available free of charge to all registered students, no matter which campus they are based on. A range of options are available, depending on initial assessment and based on your individual needs and circumstances. These may include one-to-one sessions with qualified counsellors, mental-health mentoring to help you cope with specific difficulties affecting your studies, online counselling and guided self-help through online resources. This is not an exhaustive list, and we continually look for new and creative approaches to support students.
Mental health team
The mental health team support students who experience a range of mental health difficulties. They offer a confidential and supportive place to discuss what is happening for you and how your mental health difficulties are impacting on your programme, academic progression and university life. Support can include having reasonable adjustments to your programme; support to manage your mental health difficulties; liaison with your academic College; and/or signposting to other services.
Student skills development
We provide a skills service for all students, with bases on Streatham, St Luke’s and Cornwall campuses. We offer a wide-range of skills programmes, workshops, individual support and online interactive resources. The Student Skills Service can help you maximise your potential in the following areas:
• essay-writing
• managing dissertations
• giving presentations
• time management and prioritising
• critical reading and writing
• revision strategies and exam techniques
• note-taking
Family support
Our purpose-built Family Centre on the Streatham Campus provides nursery places for children from six weeks to school age. The Centre, which received an excellent report following its Ofsted inspection, is set in its own grounds with two outside play complexes and a wide range of toys and equipment to stimulate play and encourage all-round development. Places are often over-subscribed so you should apply for a nursery place when you apply to the University for a study place.
The Cornwall Campus is served by the Woodlane Nursery, in Falmouth. It welcomes babies from 12 months old and has separate facilities for children over the age of three. Children up to the age of eight can use the after-school and holiday clubs. As the Day Nursery is very popular please telephone +44 (0)1326 213765 for further information.
Religious provision
The University Multi-faith Chaplaincy on the Exeter campuses is available to all staff and students of the University, irrespective of their faith or background, for all aspects of their lives. Our Chaplains provide pastoral care and confidential counselling as well as explanation of, and instruction in, a range of faiths. A large group of Chaplains work closely with each other and with the student societies, under the leadership of the Lazenby Chaplain.
Islamic students have their own Prayer Rooms on the Streatham Campus with separate facilities for both men and women and the University also maintains close contacts with representatives of other faiths in the city.
The Cornwall Campus Chaplaincy provides a welcoming and supportive environment for students and staff of all faiths or none. The Chaplaincy has a quiet room – The Oasis – which provides a place to worship, pray, meditate or relax. The Chaplaincy has a diverse faith team with representatives from several different faiths and traditions who are available to advise and lead worship on campus.
Disability support
AccessAbility in Exeter and the Accessibility Service at the Cornwall Campus provide support for students with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to declare their disability on their application form. This will not affect your application but will enable the University to plan and prepare for your arrival and support.
Staff have expertise in, and experience of, supporting people with specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia), physical disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders and other disabilities such as chronic fatigue syndrome and repetitive strain injury. Staff provide advice on sources of funding and support for students, and offer diagnostic assessment for students who feel they may be dyslexic or dyspraxic.
We aim to ensure that support during your time at the University is well coordinated and effective in providing you with every opportunity to succeed and progress to graduation. You are welcome to visit or contact the centres before you apply or after you arrive.
I always knew that French and Maths were two subjects I could excel at and Exeter was one of the only universities which offered an equally balanced course between the two through the Flexible Combined Honours scheme. The course sounded great and the module choices are so flexible that I could tailor my studies around my interests. Throughout my course, both departments have been extremely supportive and it is obvious that the lecturers are very passionate about their subjects.
It was evident that student support is taken very seriously here and, as it was my first time away from home, this was very reassuring. My personal tutor has encouraged my learning and wellbeing since I started.
There are so many things to get involved in at Exeter, from sports to fundraising, theatre to politics, and every society is extremely welcoming. There is always an opportunity to meet new people and try something new.
Being at a campus university has also been an advantage - especially as the Exeter campus is so beautiful! The Streatham Campus is incredible. The upkeep of the grounds and the calmness of the landscape provide an excellent environment against the hustle and bustle of university life.
Becky Elliot, 3rd year BSc Mathematics and French
