The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university in the south-west of England, known for its beautiful Streatham Campus, its strength in business, economics, law, the sciences and the environment and its strong student community. It also has a campus in Cornwall, near Falmouth.
For most Exeter courses starting in September 2027, the UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Exeter’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a master’s or PhD instead, see the section near the end.
1. Choose your course and campus
Many Exeter courses come in several versions, for example with industrial experience or a year abroad, each with its own UCAS code. Check which campus your course is taught at: most are at Streatham in Exeter, but some are at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
2. Meet the typical offer
Exeter often gives its typical offer as a range. For example, for 2027 entry, BSc Economics asks for A*AA to AAA at A level, with Mathematics required, or 38 to 36 points in the IB (766 to 666 at Higher Level). Contextual offers for eligible applicants are lower, at AAB to ABB. Exeter BSc Economics.
3. Check for tests and interviews
Most Exeter courses don’t use admissions tests, but medicine and some health courses use the UCAT and interviews. If you’re hoping to study medicine or dentistry, note that the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry was 15 October 2026, and you’d also have needed to sit the UCAT, so you’d now be planning for 2028 entry.
4. Write a strong personal statement
The UCAS personal statement asks three questions: why you want to study your chosen course, how your education has prepared you, and what other experiences have prepared you. You have 4,000 characters in total, and each answer must be at least 350 characters. Explain what draws you to the subject and how you’ve explored it, for example through reading, projects or online courses. Admissions tutors want evidence of real interest in the subject, so explain what you’ve done and what you learned from it.
5. Show your interests beyond the classroom
Exeter has a very active student community, with many sports clubs and societies. You don’t need a long list of activities, but showing what you’ve contributed to your school or community, and what you learned from it, helps admissions tutors understand who you are.
6. Get a strong reference
Your UCAS application includes a reference from your school, which explains your predicted grades and describes you as a student. Ask your teachers early, give them a short summary of your interests and achievements, and tell them about any circumstances that affected your studies so they can mention them.
7. Apply by 13 January 2027
The UCAS deadline for most Exeter courses starting in September 2027 is 6pm UK time on 13 January 2027. Every application received by then gets equal consideration, so there’s no advantage in rushing: use the time to make your application as strong as possible.
8. Meet the English requirement
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to meet Exeter’s English requirement for your course, usually with IELTS or another accepted test. Check the exact score on your course page and leave time to retake the test if you need to. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests.
9. Plan your budget and apply for scholarships
For 2027 entry, Exeter lists an international fee of £25,700 a year for BSc Economics, compared with £10,050 for UK students. Exeter says it has £8 million available in scholarships for international students starting in 2027–28, including its Exeter Excellence Scholarships. Check the scholarships and bursaries page for eligibility and deadlines.
10. Get ready for your Student visa
Most students from outside the UK and Ireland need a Student visa. You can apply once you have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from Exeter, which it issues after you’ve accepted your offer and met the conditions. You’ll need to show you have enough money for your fees and living costs. After you graduate, the Graduate Route usually lets you work in the UK, but it’s due to be shortened from two years to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Exeter?
Exeter offers a range of one-year master’s degrees and PhDs, including programmes at the University of Exeter Business School and in climate and environmental science. You apply directly to the university, not through UCAS. Most programmes ask for a good first degree (often a UK upper second-class degree or the equivalent), a personal statement, references and, for international applicants, an English test. See our 50 sample SOPs, free GRE and GMAT practice tests, and our guide to the best AI master’s degrees in the UK.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Exeter turns down many strong applicants every year, because there are more excellent students than places. Use your five UCAS choices wisely: apply to Exeter if it’s right for you, and include universities where your chances are good. Read our guides to other Russell Group universities, including Bristol, Southampton, Durham and Cardiff. Our guide to studying in the UK explains how UK universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of Exeter’s official course, fees and scholarship pages, and checked in October 2026. Entry requirements, deadlines, tests, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on Exeter’s undergraduate website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of Exeter.