Community Exe Student Leaders
As a member of Community Exe you can now access virtual content which has been put together just for you by your Student Leaders - starting with their introductions, they will share lived experiences and advice between now and April on accommodation, food, studying and their experience of Community Exe. We'll send you updates when new content is available.
Student Leader Vlog Content
Chaitanya Introduction
BSc Business and Management
Toby Introduction
BEng Engineering and Entrepreneurship
Chaitanya
Living in Catered Accommodation
Toby
Living in Self-Catered Accommodation
Cooking with Matthew
Cooking with Toby
Chaitanya on Food
Toby's Reflections on CE
Student Leader Blog Content
Kaylan - BSc Mathematics and Data Science
My name is Kaylan, and I’m from London. I am currently studying Mathematics and Data Science at Exeter, a course I chose because I enjoyed maths (but not enough to pursue a straight mathematics degree) and wanted to incorporate the practical skills I could learn through data science. At school, I studied Maths, Further Maths, and History and realised that I enjoyed analytical thinking and logical challenges (whilst still really enjoying history). This interest developed into a wider curiosity about data, statistics and how numbers can be used to support decision-making, especially in the worlds of sports and finance.
I decided to study Mathematics and Data Science because it combines strong mathematical foundations with practical, real-world applications. The course enables me to develop skills in areas such as data analysis, programming, and statistical modelling, which will hopefully be valuable for my future career. I am hoping to enter the world of finance and trading after university.
Read the rest of Kaylan's Profile here.
Conor - BMBS Medicine
Hi everyone I’m Conor, one of the student leaders on the community EXE programme for 2025/26! I’d like to take a little bit of time to introduce myself so you can all get a bit of background info about me! I am currently a 4th year Medical student living and studying here at the University of Exeter. I spent my first year in Exeter itself, living in student accommodation at Rowancroft on the east side of the city. I then moved to Cornwall for two years throughout my second and third years of studying, and have come back to Exeter for my fourth an fifth years.
I am originally from Worcestershire in the West Midlands, and university was my first experience of living away from home, as it is for many people. For my GCSEs that I completed in 2019, I studied triple science, music and geography as my three options. This lead me on to study biology, chemistry and english literature for A-levels, and that lead me down the path to where I am now!
Read the rest of Conor's Profile here.
Matthew - Law LLB
Hi! I am Matthew, and I am one of your Community Exe Student Leaders, primarily working with the Young Leaders strand. I am a current Law LLB student here at the University of Exeter, and aspiring barrister! It has been great to meet so many of you participants at our award days, but for those of you who haven’t, here is a rundown of myself!
To start off, I am from Weymouth, in Dorset, which is only around 60 miles (1.5 hour) drive away! It’s most famous for its beaches, historic harbour, Georgian Esplanade, and being within the Jurassic Coast – a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Part of this is why we hosted the Sailing Events in the 2012 Olympics. Before I came to Exeter, I studied at The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. My GCSEs consisted of Biology, Business, Chemistry, English Language and Literature, History, Health and Social Care, Maths, Theology and Ethics, Spanish, and Physics. In my A-Levels, I studied Law, Economics and Politics, and here I realised that Law was what I was passionate about, as it was by far my most interesting subject – with my interest stemming from studying tort law and human rights law. In this time, I also was part of Exeter’s 16th Cohort of Pathways to Law students, which opened opportunities for myself relating to studying law and law in practice.
Read the rest of Matthew's Profile here.
Chaitanya - BSc Business and Management
I grew up in India, which has been a huge part of who I am. Growing up there gave me a strong sense of responsibility and community—values that I truly hope to bring to the Community Exe Student Leader program. The culture, the experiences, and the people have all shaped my perspective on working collaboratively and making a positive impact on those around me.
For my A-levels, I studied Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. I worked really hard for these qualifications, and I'm proud to say I achieved some great grades. These subjects gave me a solid foundation in scientific thinking and problem-solving, even though my path eventually led me toward business rather than science. I'm currently in my final year studying BSc Business Management with Industrial Experience at the University of Exeter.
The decision to shift from science to business came at a pivotal moment in my life. I became fascinated by how businesses actually operate in the world—how big companies make critical decisions, what drives strategy, and how different functions work together.
Read the rest of Chaitanya's Profile here and see his Video Profile here.
Yousef - MSc Engineering Business Management
Hi, my name is Yousef. I’m originally from Syria, but I was displaced at the age of 14 due to the war. I moved to Turkey as a refugee, where I worked hard to secure a scholarship to study Electronics Engineering for my undergraduate degree. After graduating, I was fortunate to receive another scholarship to pursue my MSc in Engineering Business Management at the University of Exeter. That year was incredibly inspiring, and I learned a lot—not just academically, but about personal growth and opportunity.
When I first received the scholarship, I didn’t know much about Exeter, but the fact that they offered support to displaced students like me spoke volumes. That impression was confirmed when I arrived: the university has extensive support systems for careers, inclusivity, well-being, student social life, and more. Exeter encourages students with passion to turn their ideas into reality through funding, startup bootcamps, research development, and countless other opportunities. To be honest, I’m not saying you won’t face any difficult times at Exeter—some students might have challenging experiences, and that is at any university—but the difference is that Exeter and the student guild are always on your side, providing support and guidance whenever you need it, especially for vulnerable students.
After building connections during my MSc year, I secured funding to pursue my PhD at Exeter, which I’m now enjoying immensely. I am currently designing AI software to control robotic arms for 3D printing, and I also work as a student ambassador, teaching assistant, and run workshops with the research development team. Exeter has allowed me to meet like-minded people who share my drive and ambition, and I feel supported both academically and personally. Outside of my studies, I enjoy cycling around Exeter—the campus is beautiful, green, and expansive—and I especially recommend riding along Exeter river all the way to Topsham.