Before you arrive

Make sure you know where you plan to stay when you arrive at the University. You can apply to live in university owned or managed accommodation (sometimes refers to as 'halls of residence' or 'halls'), or accommodation in the 'private' sector, where the university does not manage or organise this for you. 

Speak to the Accommodation teams for help on finding accommodation:

Study Abroad, International Exchange and Erasmus students (Exeter and Cornwall)

Exeter campuses (Streatham and St Lukes)

Cornwall campuses (Penryn and Truro)

If you are a non-EU/EEA student or an EU/EEA student arriving from 1 January 2021 onwards, you will require a visa to study in the UK. Applying for a visa is a lengthy process, so make sure you apply in plenty of time.

Most students will require a Student visa to study, but if you are coming for less than 6 months, you may have the option of applying for a Visitor visa. See our Applying for a Visa pages for detailed information, including advice on application forms and a list of supporting documents required.

Online events

Throughout 2020, we are running a series of webinars to help you prepare for study at Exeter. We'd love for you to join us.

Once you have work out how you will pay for your visa, you will also want to think about your living costs in the UK. Our International Student Guide gives you some idea of the costs you can expect.

You will also want to ensure you have enough cash (British pounds) to last you until you are able to open a bank account. See our advice on bank accounts here.

From 4am on January 18^th, all international travel corridors to England will close and you must self-isolate after arriving in the UK, even if you have tested negative for COVID-19. Most people travelling to the UK from abroad will also need proof of a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test result to enter the country. You need to have taken the test in the 3 days before you travel. You can read the full Government Guidance for further details. .

Travellers  must self-isolate for up to ten days when you arrive in the UK. This applies to UK residents and visitors to the UK. In England, those who break these rules and do not self-isolate for two weeks from your arrival date in the UK can be heavily fined. Exeter Students failing to self-isolate can also be subject to University disciplinary procedures.

Don’t worry though, if you do need to self-isolate upon arrival in the UK, the University will offer a number of services to support you. If you are planning on self-isolating in University accommodation in Exeter, you can find more advice and guidance on our Accommodation pages here. If you are living in Cornwall, please contact our Accommodation team in Cornwall for details about booking accommodation.

There are several ways to get to campus from all the major airports and ports in the UK.

The International Student Guide includes information on train and coach travel options from Gatwick & Heathrow. You might also want to explore the options of flying to Exeter, Bristol or Newquay airport.

Full directions to our campuses in Exeter and Cornwall, together with campus maps, are available in our Maps and directions section.

All students (regardless of immigration status) are able to access emergency treatment in a hospital Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This is only for emergency treatment for serious illness or injury. It is also recommended you register with a docotr for less urgent healthcare needs. If the doctor accepts you as a patient you will be sent a medical card through the post with your NHS number. However, being registered with a GP (doctor), and having an NHS number, does not give you automatic entitlement to free hospital treatment. The hospital providing treatment is responsible for establishing whether international students are entitled to free hospital treatment.

International students

If you are in the UK on a Tier 4 visa, you will have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application. This entitles you to access the NHS within the UK. Most services are free to access, although some carry charges. You will be made aware if you will be charged to access a service.

Students on a short course of 3 months or more can now register with a GP surgery to receive primary care services. If, however, you need a referral to a hospital specialist then you will be charged for this appointment by the hospital.

EU/EEA passport holders

EU/EEA students would be exempt from charge if carrying a EHIC as will some other countries who have reciprocal arrangements. We recommend all other students have adquate medical insurance to cover specialist appointments whilst in the UK. UKCISA explain more about this here.