Fave places on campus
When it’s cold or rainy my friends and I like to snuggle up in the Sustainability Café and get a coffee, or go to Koofi and share a pizza. If it’s nicer weather, I like to take a stroll around campus – my favourite places are the walled garden and up by the farmhouse, or Glasney Village, as I like to reminisce about living there. Penryn Campus is so beautiful, it’s well worth getting to know the grounds and finding your favourite spots to eat your lunch and enjoy the scenery.
Written by Ella, BSc Zoology, Penryn Campus.
The amount of colour and nature in the grounds year-round makes walking to a 9am lecture in the autumn mist less of a burden. Everywhere on campus is nearby and you can easily just pop into the campus shop for a coffee. There are benches all over for enjoying the sun and that slice of cake you bought from Koofi (the campus café) with zero guilt.
Written by Matt, BA History, Penryn Campus.
Koofi provides a great break from lectures with cheap Starbucks products and superb pizza. The Stannary is a great spot for a daytime coffee or drink and a pool game or two, and it doubles as the largest venue in Cornwall to put on a host of events from the Freshers’ Ball to various music nights.
Written by Chris, MA International Relations, Penryn Campus.
Life on Penryn Campus
The Penryn Campus is in a beautiful location, and having a shop, bar and gym all on campus is useful in the first year while you’re still getting used to the area.
There is a lot of support on the campus. I was allocated a student mentor and had training on the equipment provided to me by the Disabled Students’ Allowances, both of which were very helpful for getting me through my third year.
Sharing the campus with Falmouth University means there is a really nice mix of people.
Written by
Jess
Jess, BSc Animal Behaviour, Penryn Campus.
Multifaith Chaplaincy
My favourite place on campus is the Multifaith Chaplaincy. When I first walked in four years ago, it felt like coming home. Since then, I’ve been almost every week! There’s always a friendly face, offering a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake.
A wonderful community of students and staff from all sorts of backgrounds (religious and not!) has grown up in the space. Between the Catholic Society’s Monday lunch, crafting on Thursday afternoons and Bailey the Golden Retriever coming on Fridays, it feels like spending time with your family. Everyone is incredibly kind and welcoming and I’ve met so many amazing friends through the years!
The sofas with crochet blankets and a jumble of pillows, a dining table always occupied by someone drawing or working on an essay, the little kitchen with an endless supply of tea and cake, and the soft lighting and old Cornish stone walls make the space itself feel so cosy and lived in.
The walk there through the arches of trees always brings me such peace. It’s a place like no other on campus. It’s the definition of a hidden gem.
The Chaplaincy has been an invaluable place for me over the five years that I’ve been here so far. I’m not a religious student, but it’s honestly not hugely a religious space, it’s more a community space, and it would be lovely to have more people use it to its fullest.
Written by
Aisha
Aisha, BSc Zoology, Penryn Campus.
Life on Penryn Campus as an international student
I have really enjoyed the diversity of people on campus, and the passion of the lecturers and how excited they are about their topics! When I first arrived in Cornwall it was very overwhelming. The Penryn Campus is very different to where I come from in the Maldives, but I love it now and couldn’t recommend it enough. The campus is very beautiful, and a fantastic place to study!
Munshidha, MSc Conservation and Biodiversity, Penryn Campus.
I have absolutely loved living in Cornwall. The commute between Falmouth and the Penryn Campus is easy and has access to some of the most beautiful coastal areas in the UK. Although it is different to the United States (both socially and academically), I had no problem settling in and was welcomed with open arms by the other students here.
Cody, MSc Conservation and Biodiversity, Penryn Campus.
Being an international student here has been really good in terms of meeting people and making friends. The campus is really diverse and the University believes in inclusivity. It has all been so good. I’ve never been made to feel like I am from somewhere else.
Hamid, MSc Renewable Energy Engineering, Penryn Campus.
The Masters Suite
My favourite place on campus is the Masters Suite located right next to the Students’ Union. It is a warm and cosy place to focus on studies and get work done when deadlines are closing in.
It has two sitting areas, one with a ‘lounge’ kind of setting where postgraduate students can come in and study in groups. The sofas in this group study area are very cosy as well! The other study area is for quiet study and has PCs in case anyone wants to access University services and software.
Moreover, the Students’ Union very recently started keeping an open pantry which is right next to the Masters Suite. In case you’re having a long study session, it is very convenient to actually grab a snack / soup bowl and work towards smashing the deadlines!
Written by Saiyam, MSc Renewable Energy Engineering, Penryn Campus.
The Masters Suite
My favourite place on campus is the Masters Suite located right next to the Students’ Union. It is a warm and cosy place to focus on studies and get work done when deadlines are closing in.
It has two sitting areas, one with a ‘lounge’ kind of setting where postgraduate students can come in and study in groups. The sofas in this group study area are very cosy as well! The other study area is for quiet study, and has PCs in case anyone wants to access University services and software.
Moreover, the Students’ Union very recently started keeping an open pantry which is right next to the Masters Suite. In case you’re having a long study session, it is very convenient to actually grab a snack / soup bowl and work towards smashing the deadlines!
Written by Saiyam, MSc Renewable Energy Engineering, Penryn Campus.
I love this little corner between Giraffe House and the library in the main garden area in the middle of the campus. In the late winter, there are a lot of tiny flowers that bloom underneath the shade of the trees. The flowers come in various shades of yellow, purple, and white against the lush green grass. They’re always a lovely and calm sight after a long study session at Giraffe House.
Written by Hilary, MSc Global Sustainability Solutions, Streatham Campus.
Picture by Hilary.
My favourite place on St Luke’s Campus is definitely the little study rooms inside Haighton library. The seagulls like to watch you work through the windows and it’s the perfect place to study with friends. In early spring, you can see the flowers on the lawn in the courtyard which are so pretty! And it’s cosy and warm in winter with its comfy seats and heating. It’s so peaceful there, it makes me love being at uni.
Written by Larissa, BSc Psychology, St Luke’s Campus.
St Luke’s Campus
I love this little corner between Giraffe House and the library in the main garden area in the middle of the campus. In the late winter, there are a lot of tiny flowers that bloom underneath the shade of the trees. The flowers come in various shades of yellow, purple and white against the lush green grass. They’re always a lovely and calm sight after a long study session at Giraffe House.
Written by Hilary, MSc Global Sustainability Solutions, Streatham Campus.
My favourite place on St Luke’s Campus is definitely the little study rooms inside Haighton library. The seagulls like to watch you work through the windows and it’s the perfect place to study with friends. In early spring, you can see the flowers on the lawn in the courtyard which are so pretty! And it’s cosy and warm in winter with its comfy seats and heating. It’s so peaceful there, it makes me love being at uni.
Written by Larissa, BSc Psychology, St Luke’s Campus.
St Luke’s Campus.
Cross Keys
My favourite place on St Luke’s Campus would have to be Cross Keys as it has the perfect mix of everything you could need.
There are two floors with space to work and chat with friends. I personally love sitting in one of the armchairs upstairs as they’re comfortable and right next to the all important plug sockets.
There is also a restaurant and cafe downstairs which you can buy food and drinks from during the week. I recommend that you try the lattice fries from the restaurant with either the tomato or aioli dip, it’s heavenly.
Written by
Daniel
Daniel, BMBS Medicine, St Luke’s Campus.
Streatham Campus
If I have an hour’s gap or more between lectures I go to Pret or Starbucks to study with lunch and a drink. Whether you want a silent study zone or somewhere where you can chat among friends, there is a study space to be found around the Forum and Devonshire House. If I have a longer gap between lectures I love going for a walk around campus when the weather is warm. Exeter is a very beautiful and natural campus – I once even saw ducks near the pond in East Park!
Written by Caitlin, BA English and Communications, Streatham Campus.
The campus is rolling, green and gorgeous and the welcome is warm. For some contemplative time I enjoy strolling around the Old Botanical Garden throughout the seasons. For intensive postgraduate study, I always head to the Old Library where you can work among others in the total quiet. And importantly, you are never very far from a really good coffee at Exeter Uni!
Written by Paula, MA Sociology, Streatham Campus.
Fave places on Streatham Campus
Written by
Swarnim
Swarnim, MA Creative Writing, Streatham Campus.
View from Holland Hall.
In and around the Forum
Devonshire House is perfect for socialising with friends, studying and getting involved in societies like the Exeposé student newspaper. The introduction of budget meals has been invaluable as a budget-friendly lunch option between lectures. There are several food and drink outlets, as well as a student-run shop and even microwaves for those who prefer to bring their own food onto campus, all in one convenient building.
Part of Devonshire House, the Great Hall often hosts events such as live music to vintage clothing sales. Nearby is The Sanctuary for quiet study and Blackwell’s bookshop where you can find popular fiction and essential academic reading.
The Forum library is open 24/7 and has computer, printing and group study facilities. There is a Starbucks, Pret a Manger and Forum Kitchen nearby so you don’t need to walk to the city centre for refreshments. I enjoy studying here because I can seamlessly go between finishing assignments, eating lunch and buying any food shopping that I might need from the Marketplace.
Written by
Lucy
Lucy, BA English with Study Abroad, Streatham Campus.
Exeter Community Garden
Tucked away in a quiet corner of campus, past the new East Park accommodation, you will come across the tranquillity of the Exeter Community Garden.
Founded in 2011 by students and staff from the University and members of the community, the garden is a tranquil spot for everyone to fall into away from the busyness of campus life. I first came across the community garden on a walk during the pandemic, and since then I have been most Saturday mornings with my friends. I love going and learning more about growing food and looking after plants, and most importantly enjoying the fresh air.
I’d recommend popping along, checking out the garden website and joining the Be the Change society, which makes regular trips there!
Written by Emma, VP Liberation and Equality, Exeter Students’ Guild.
