exeter university

im considering applying to Exeter for psychology at the end of the year, but I am really worried about the diversity etc. I live in London and I am mixed race of a normal if not lower income and i know that there socioeconomically and ethnically exeter isn't very diverse. does anyone who goes there know what it's like personally as these are just things i've heard overtime but i dont know anyone with experience there. and i dont want to feel out of place.

Reply 1

cksiu

Universities Forum Helper

14

Original post by Anonymous

im considering applying to Exeter for psychology at the end of the year, but I am really worried about the diversity etc. I live in London and I am mixed race of a normal if not lower income and i know that there socioeconomically and ethnically exeter isn't very diverse. does anyone who goes there know what it's like personally as these are just things i've heard overtime but i dont know anyone with experience there. and i dont want to feel out of place.

Exeter, being a RG uni attracts very wide spectrum of applicants, so its student population is very diversified.

Reply 2

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

12

Hi Anonymous,

I'm glad to hear that you are considering applying for Exeter. I would advise you to not worry about diversity too much, though, as Exeter has a student body made up of all sorts of demographics and backgrounds, despite a 'stereotype'.

Over my time at Exeter, I've met people from all kinds of families, with different ethnic backgrounds and different financial backgrounds. I've also found that nobody is discriminatory or judgmental of your background by any means, as I've never been treated differently for mine. It's really just about the company you surround yourself with, and you will meet the right people eventually.

Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated by the university; diversity is strongly advocated - there's so many societies to reflect this, too. I would recommend coming to an open day to get to know what some of the student body does look like, though!

Grace
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

im considering applying to Exeter for psychology at the end of the year, but I am really worried about the diversity etc. I live in London and I am mixed race of a normal if not lower income and i know that there socioeconomically and ethnically exeter isn't very diverse. does anyone who goes there know what it's like personally as these are just things i've heard overtime but i dont know anyone with experience there. and i dont want to feel out of place.

Don’t listen to this b.s. Exeter is incredibly white, posh, privately educated etc. You will inevitably feel out of place - like at every Russel group. It’s just a tough reality.

Reply 4

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

12

Original post by Anonymous

Don’t listen to this b.s. Exeter is incredibly white, posh, privately educated etc. You will inevitably feel out of place - like at every Russel group. It’s just a tough reality.

This isn't true. I'm a state educated student from the West Midlands, and have found many students studying at Exeter who have come from a similar background to myself. This is also supported by the data, for example from the Times University Guide 2025 here, which shows that 57% of Exeter's students come from non-selective state school backgrounds.

As with any large university, there is going to be a wide variety of backgrounds and previous experiences represented across the student body. If you're particularly worried about finding like-minded people, I'd strongly encourage you to engage in university societies, which can be really helpful for quickly finding fellow students you share a common interest with, whether that be a shared hobby, taste in music, faith, ethnicity or anything else. You can find a list of the 100s of available societies for our Exeter based campuses here.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions, and as Grace mentioned in her earlier reply, I'd encourage you to see for yourself at an open day if you're able to make it to one!

Kingsley
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

Reply 5

Anonymous #3

I’m fully black and I’m going this September and I’m crapping bricks so remind me to come back and I’ll lyk how it’s been lollll (I’ll be in the penryn campus too which I’ve also heard mix stories of)

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by Anonymous

I’m fully black and I’m going this September and I’m crapping bricks so remind me to come back and I’ll lyk how it’s been lollll (I’ll be in the penryn campus too which I’ve also heard mix stories of)

lolll good luckkk and congratss, hopefully it’s not as bad as some ppl make it seem cause i hear so many mixed things about it and that it’s getting better

Reply 7

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

12

Original post by Anonymous

I’m fully black and I’m going this September and I’m crapping bricks so remind me to come back and I’ll lyk how it’s been lollll (I’ll be in the penryn campus too which I’ve also heard mix stories of)

Hi anonymous,

I'm a PhD student in evolutionary biology based in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the Penryn Campus. I also studied here for my Masters and undergrad degree, so know the campus and local area pretty well. If you've got any questions about student life in Cornwall before you arrive in September please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Kingsley
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

exeter university

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