Thanks to Ben for sharing his experience in this blog of securing accommodation with the University of Exeter as his insurance choice.
Hi, I’m Ben, and I’m a University of Exeter student. Exeter was my insurance choice, and this is what it’s been like living in The Depot, which is a university-approved partner accommodation in the city.
A change in plans
When I found out on results day that I had been accepted to the University of Exeter as my insurance offer, everything happened so quickly. Like many students, I had imagined a different first-choice scenario, so adjusting my plans, especially around accommodation, felt overwhelming at first. My accommodation options were very limited; living in a city-based residence rather than on campus wasn’t what I’d originally pictured.
Looking back, the accommodation process felt more uncertain at first. This was because, the same as all students, I had to wait after results day to find out what I could be offered – that’s the way the accommodation application process works. That waiting period was stressful and provided a lot of uncertainty. However, once my accommodation was confirmed and I accepted my place, communication became much clearer. I knew what to expect, which really helped ease my concerns.
Life now I’m here
Living at the Depot has been a really good experience overall. My room is comfortable, well set up for student life, and the shared living areas made it easy to meet people early on. Having both private and shared spaces made it easy to balance social and downtime, which was especially important in the first few weeks of term.
Getting to campus is simple. I study on the St Luke’s campus, which is just a 7-minute walk from the Depot, with a slightly longer 15-minute walk to the Streatham campus. Being so close means I never feel disconnected from university life, even though I live in the city.
Living in the city
One of the biggest benefits of living in the city is having everything close by. Shops, leisure facilities and social spaces are all within easy reach, which makes day-to-day life more convenient and helps create a good balance between studying and relaxing. Being so central also makes evenings out simple and low-stress, and it has helped me feel settled in Exeter as a place to live, not just a university campus.
Staying connected to the university has been easier than expected. I’m involved in societies, sports clubs and regularly meet friends both on campus and in the city. Living at The Depot hasn’t limited my experience at all; it’s just been a slightly different version than I pictured.
The overall experience
Overall, even though this wasn’t my first-choice living scenario, living at The Depot has been a genuinely positive experience. City-based accommodation can still feel closely connected to the university community, and it doesn’t mean missing out.
I hope this gives you a good idea of what it’s like living in student accommodation in the city. You can find more information on the accommodation website.
Find out more about The Depot or what having Exeter as your Insurance choice means in terms of the accommodation guarantee.