Hi, I’m Nasha, a LLB Law with Business international student at the Penryn Campus about to go into my second year.
After a long summer, I strolled onto the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall last September, and it seemed like I was stepping onto a lovely sandy beach with my legal books. Students passed me by, as did the humid beachy wind, and I smiled as I thought “this is the exciting type of place I was meant to study in”. Fast forward, and I’m already almost in my second year because the fun makes time fly by, and Exeter already feels like a second home despite the distance.
In this blog, I’d want to discuss why I chose the University of Exeter, what made it stand out to me, how the application process went, and everything I’ve grown to enjoy about studying here.
If you’re contemplating your university options right now, I hope this offers you a genuine sense of what life is like at Exeter – and perhaps even helps you imagine yourself here.
What led me to choose Exeter?
When I started researching universities, I realised I didn’t want to pursue a straight up Law degree. I’ve always been interested in business and how businesses operate, particularly in contract law, company law, and entrepreneurship, so Exeter’s LLB Law with Business degree stood out right away.
It felt like the ideal combination of learning about legal theory as well as the practical parts of business. Therefore doing a double award degree was a great match for me: I really liked the fact that I could study Business modules along with also qualifying as a lawyer, and that the modules came hand in hand (e.g. like Legal Foundations and Business and Society). Exeter was amongst the few universities which offered this course, and it was a bonus that I could study in a spectacular location away from all the city noise. In addition to the excellent degree title, the University also stood out in multiple other ways, including:
- Reputation: Exeter is a Russell Group university and amongst the top 20 universities in the UK. From this ranking I knew it must have high quality teaching and facilities for students to succeed in their chosen area.
- Campus: The Penryn Campus in Cornwall is totally unique and almost out of this world, away from noise and pollution and overlooking serene beaches, which make great spots for the ideal weekend idea away from your busy university life. The campus is also filled with greenery and forest trails, which can help lift your mood as you walk to University in the peaceful environment.
- Student life: Within the University there are lots of offer extracurricular activities to get involved with, including lots of sports – the fields that students use for sports are large and can accommodate almost anything, even surf boarding! I feel like it’s easy to not get bored as they are so many clubs and societies you can join, and the variety is always getting larger.
The application and decision process
The application process was quite simple as I applied directly through UCAS with my predicted grades. After my application went through, I received my offer within two weeks which was very efficient compared to other universities’ response times (although don’t worry if you don’t also get a response from Exeter this fast – response times vary and it doesn’t mean that you won’t be given an offer!).
After I’d got my offer, Exeter sent me follow up emails and invited me to their offer holder open days, which I did attend before I accepted my offer. I’m really glad I took this opportunity to see the campus in person. I decided to go to the offer holder day after getting advice from teachers in my school who had been to Exeter, and oh my they were not wrong: it was the campus of my dreams and after seeing it in real life so I was looking forward to joining the University even more.
On my offer holder day I got to meet some current students on my course, and it was really good to hear testimonials from the students themselves about their experience – it really gave me the confidence that it was the right course for me. After seeing the campus and experiencing the positive environment I then accepted my offer through UCAS.
What I love about studying here
Now that I have finished my first year I would love to share some personal highlights about my uni life here so far.
- The course and teaching: My modules have been thought-provoking and unexpectedly flexible; I’ve already studied everything from criminal law to marketing. The seminars are where the magic happens: small groups, lively debates, and professors who know your name. The academic staff are friendly and truly interested in your success. I once emailed a professor late at night with an anxious enquiry before a deadline, anticipating a response the next day. He responded within 20 minutes, offering useful, calm advice. That type of support makes a huge difference.
- Campus life: Although Penryn is a small campus, its facilities are easily big enough like the gym, different study spots in the library and the outdoor concept café, which I love in the summer, especially with the outdoor lighting. I also love sitting in the nearby Stargazy Cafe when I need space to work outside uni. You should visit it!
- Accommodation and social life: I’ve stayed on campus for my first year in Glasney Village. Personally, I think every student should experience on campus living at the start of their degree as you get to meet friends then later move out of halls, plus the Glasney security team is right here for any needs so you don’t feel alone. Nightlife in Penryn itself is very quiet, which is great for letting you study, but nearby clubs in Falmouth like Mangos and Kings attract all the Penryn students, so these are a must try for a night out.
Tips for prospective students
I’m not going to lie, choosing a university was stressful. There is pressure from comparing league standings, personal statements, and what your friends are doing. But this is what helped me:
Attend Open Days: Nothing beats experiencing the campus in person. I almost didn’t come to Penryn since it was quite far away for me, but the visit changed everything.
Consider your lifestyle: I knew I didn’t want to be in a large city with continual noise. Penryn is ideal for those who enjoy green spaces, a community feeling, and the seaside.
Talk to existing students: I used Unibuddy to connect with a few current students and ask them the questions I felt silly asking staff. Their insights were genuine and reassuring.
I hope you found this blog helpful, and it may lead you to helping you decide if the University of Exeter is the one for you. Choosing a university is an important decision that can be hard to make, but now you have a current student’s words to add to your knowledge on why to choose Exeter!