Living and working in the South West
The South West has cemented its reputation as one of the very best places to live, work, and study in the UK.
Exeter is an historic cathedral city, and the county of Devon has a fabulous coastline and two national parks. Cornwall has a unique and fascinating ecology with scenic beaches and dramatic clifftop views, coupled with a rich history of artistic and scientific innovation, including pioneering environmental technology.
We’re lucky to have some of the most beautiful campuses in the UK, awarded the coveted Green Flag Award, providing outstanding quality of life, low rates of crime and increasingly excellent economic prospects.
Exeter, Devon
Exeter, is home to both our Streatham Campus, found on the edge of the city, and St Luke’s Campus, in the centre. Nestled in the picturesque Devon countryside, Exeter is consistently rated as one of the best places to live, work and study in the UK.
Boasting a high quality of life and low crime rate, over a quarter of Exeter’s population study or work at the University, making the city a welcoming environment for all staff. Exeter is the administrative and commercial core of Devon, with prominent companies such as IKEA, the John Lewis Partnership and the Met Office branching out to the city – and our state-of-the-art Science Park provides outstanding opportunities for technologically-driven businesses to develop.
Exeter is a lively, vibrant place with a strong independent sector. There are boutique shops alongside high street stores, and dozens of cosy cafes and restaurants using locally-sourced produce. A safe and walkable city, you can find everything you need right on your doorstep. The county’s exquisite coastlines and national parks are also just a short drive, cycle, bus or train journey away, and with fast links to major cities across the country.
Penryn & Truro, Cornwall
The University of Exeter has two sites in Cornwall; the Penryn Campus, shared with Falmouth University, and the Knowledge Spa at Truro Hospital, home to the University's Medical School in Cornwall.
Our Cornwall campuses offer a close-knit friendly community, in an arrangement that is unique as we share the campus with Falmouth University; a leading specialist arts institution. This combination creates a vibrant community of students from science, engineering, humanities and arts backgrounds.
The Penryn Campus is located at the former site of Glasney College, an influential 13th century institution. Modern Penryn is home to a growing community of artists, young professionals, and university students. The nearby town of Falmouth offers a wide variety of boutiques, eateries, and social venues, and hosts a number of annual events such as the Oyster Festival and Sea Shanty Festival.
Truro is a short bus or train ride away. The city boasts stunning views of the impressive Truro Cathedral—site of the Cornwall campuses’ graduation ceremonies—as well as many opportunities for shopping, dining, and culture.
Cornwall has a lot to offer—including fantastic surfing on the north coast, art galleries in St. Ives, the beautiful gardens at the Eden Project, and the breathtaking views on The Lizard and Bodmin Moor. All of these and other destinations are easily explored by bus, train, car, and bicycle, or even, via the Coastal Path, on foot.
Thanks to our prestigious Green Flag Award, the scenic beaches and coves, and dramatic clifftop views, Cornwall is one of Britain’s favourite holiday destinations. The county also has a rich history of artistic and scientific innovation, making it a fascinating and stimulating place to live and work.