Hi everyone! I’m Tom, a recent University of Exeter graduate who studied LLB Law with Business at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall. Originally from Essex, I found myself drawn to the University of Exeter for many reasons, and although moving far from home took some getting used to, I loved it so much that I am eager to continue living in Cornwall as I begin my career. Here’s why I chose to call this beautiful campus home for my university years.
Choosing where to study is probably one of the toughest decisions you’ll make during sixth form or college. You might have some idea of a potential career, but unsure what course is best to pursue that, and if you’re like me then it would likely mean living away from home for the first time. That’s why I want to share my reasons for choosing to study at the University of Exeter, hopefully covering some aspects that will help you navigate your choice on where to study!
Course Offerings
First thing’s first, your course is likely the first thing you’ll look at when deciding where to study. After all, you’re not going to choose a university that doesn’t offer the course that fits your career aspirations!
For me, the primary reason I chose Exeter was the unique course offering. Unlike many other universities, Exeter offered a combined honours degree in Law with Business. I wasn’t entirely sure if pursuing just a Law degree was the right route for me, so the option to study a combined degree was an eye-opener. I felt this course allowed me to keep my career options open by not restricting myself to one area of expertise, while being able to develop skills in two fields that are very interdisciplinary – something that will be beneficial for pursuing a career in either discipline.
The course content offered by the University was diverse, providing a broad understanding and focus on Law, whilst developing my business and commercial acumen. The course also allowed me to specialise across a range of law and business modules throughout every year of my degree, meaning I could really tailor my degree to suit my interests and aspirations. This flexibility and depth were unmatched by other universities I considered and made Exeter an ideal choice.
Prestigious Pedigree
Now, even if your course is offered by a range of universities, the university’s reputation can also be important in your decision-making process. Exeter’s status as being regarded one of the top universities in the UK definitely influenced my decision. Being a Russell Group University and consistently ranking high in university league tables, Exeter’s prestige was evident and stood out to me as a place where I’d get a leading educational experience. Exeter definitely met (and exceeded) my expectations. The University of Exeter is a leading institution for a reason, and I can certainly say the learning experience, expertise and the facilities reflect this. For someone aiming to build a successful career, these factors were crucial.
Not to mention, the University boasts impressive post-graduation employment rates, which was crucial in my decision-making process. The University ranks highly for post-graduation employment rates, with the specific job prospects for my course also being impressive. These statistics are something I would suggest researching when deciding where to study as it almost provides a comfort knowing that you have a strong chance of employment after studying at Exeter. Knowing that I would be well-equipped for the job market, and that I would have strong career opportunities post-graduation was certainly a motivating factor for why I chose Exeter, reassuring me that it was the right choice for my future.
Penryn Campus
Choosing the Penryn Campus was a deliberate decision on my behalf. Surprisingly, I find that some people don’t even realise that their course will be in Cornwall, assuming they’d just be on the Exeter campuses. However, choosing to study on the Penryn campus was a purposeful choice and something that I had considered when choosing my options of where to study.
Penryn Campus is a smaller, more intimate setting for learning that appealed to me. For me, I wasn’t attracted to the massive lecture halls that I pictured when I envisioned the stereotypical university as these seemed a bit daunting, especially coming from a sixth form or college that was smaller in size. Whilst Penryn campus does have some bigger lecture rooms, the smaller size of the Penryn Campus was one thing that convinced me that it was the right place for me.
This doesn’t just apply to lectures though, with seminars also being in groups smaller than I was used to in classrooms in college. This meant a lot more focused learning and personal interaction with lecturers. Personally, I can’t imagine many other universities where you would be able to have a personal, friendly relationship with your lecturers on a weekly basis. Knowing your lecturers on a first-name basis was a unique and invaluable aspect of my educational experience, knowing that I could rely on them for help if I needed it.
Coming from my 3 years on the campus, the campus offers an amazing close-knit community feel that I feel really provides a supportive learning environment for you to thrive, and overall really helped to enhance my educational journey.
You may also want to consider how modern the facilities are at the Penryn Campus. From what I saw when I was picking my options, most of the prestigious universities are typically quite old-looking, and whilst this may appeal to some, it didn’t really appeal to me. Penryn Campus looks and feels a lot more modern, despite celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This to me was another thing that drew me to choosing the University of Exeter knowing: I would be studying on this modern, close-knit community campus.
Ideal Location
The location of the University is also an important factor to consider, with the potential to live near Cornwall’s beautiful coastline on the Penryn Campus being a major draw factor. I had only previously visited Cornwall on holiday a couple of times, with one of these being for a campus tour, and quickly knew I would love its scenic beauty.
Living here almost feels like you’re on holiday for 3 years, with the beach only a stone’s throw away, and can be seen from the library – how cool! During my time here, I have found myself frequently visiting the local beaches to unwind, ending up on the beach most days after your final submissions for the year. If this is something you’d be into, then I would definitely recommend. Personally, I can’t think of much better to be doing on a hot day after finishing university for the year!
It’s not all pretty though as I must admit that the winter months can be wet, and Cornwall isn’t exactly close to many other places. This can be challenging if you’re like me and move over 6 hours away from home, as it is not exactly easy to just pop home for a quick visit. However, I feel the picturesque surroundings and the warmed months more than make up for it. The environment has provided a perfect balance between academia and personal relaxation.
A Step Towards Independence
Another factor to consider is about seeking independence. Although I mentioned that for me the Penryn Campus in Cornwall was far away from home, this independence is something I wanted and is something that I felt was important. I personally wasn’t sure if university was for me when I was deciding my options for after sixth form, and so I kind of thought if I do go to university then why not go somewhere that is almost as far away from home as possible (at least while remaining in the UK)?
In all seriousness, aside from the educational experience and gaining a degree, I felt that moving far from home would allow me to fully immerse myself in the ‘university experience’. Whilst the ‘partying’ and memories made have been fun, I don’t mean anything like that. I mean the personal growth that comes with being independent, the essential life skills that will be developed from living on my own. I truly believe that this would be important for me when deciding where to study, and it has been as I have personally grown and developed throughout my time at Exeter. Living on my own has taught me many things that comes with self-reliance, but also the importance of community, all while being supported in the enriching and supportive environment that Exeter offers.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, the combination of a unique course, a prestigious reputation, a supportive close-knit campus, a beautiful location, and excellent career prospects made the University of Exeter the perfect choice for me.
I hope this blog can help you in your choice of where to study. There are so many factors to consider, and what’s important will vary from person to person, but I hope I’ve shared some pointers as to aspects that I felt were useful when I was considering where to study.
My experience at the University of Exeter has been incredibly enriching, both academically and personally. For anyone considering where to pursue their higher education I can wholeheartedly recommend Exeter. This is why I chose the University of Exeter, and I absolutely loved it.