Is uni of Exeter as posh as everyone says?

I am looking at applying to exeter but don't want to miss out on everything due to not being able to keep up financially. I come from a working class background and my parents will not be helping financially. Just looking for peoples opinions.

Applying for 2026-27.

Reply 1

MrPhysics56

Hi , I went to Exeter as is my son this year, we are definitely not posh, . There is a fair mix of people, perhaps the slightly over expensive accommodation is more of an issue. University is always a good time to mix with a people from different backgrounds. You will enjoy ,we were there last week the campus is great you will love it.

Reply 2

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post

by Jamieomearanash

Hi Jamieomearanash,

I’m a current Exeter student from a low-income background, so I completely understand where you’re coming from. I had the same worries before I applied.

The short answer is: yes, Exeter can be expensive in some ways, but there’s a lot of financial support in place and you don’t have to miss out on the student experience if you plan ahead.

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Bursaries – Exeter offers an Access to Exeter Bursary which is automatic if your household income is below £35,000.

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Hardship funds – If something unexpected comes up (e.g., rent, travel, or equipment costs), the hardship fund can help.

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Society & activity support – If club/society fees are a barrier, there’s a Student Activities Hardship Fund.

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Part-time work – Exeter is a small city but has a decent number of student-friendly jobs (hospitality, retail, tutoring, campus roles). The Guild’s student jobs board is a great place to start, and we have an app called Handshake.

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Living costs – The city centre is walkable, so you can save money by living in an area where you can walk or cycle to campus rather than paying for buses every day.

Socially, it’s true Exeter has a mix of students from different backgrounds, including quite a few from wealthier ones. I’ve found that joining societies and getting involved in free or low-cost activities is the easiest way to make friends without spending loads of money. Most societies run plenty of events that don’t involve expensive nights out.

It’s definitely possible to have the “full” Exeter experience on a tight budget — I’m doing it, and lots of others are too.

Hope that helps!

Klaudia
University of Exeter Student Ambassador