University of Exeter

University of Exeter

Originating as the most westerly fort in the Roman Empire, the city of Exeter has an intriguing blend of ancient, medieval and modern architecture.

Exeter is home to a Roman wall, a Norman castle, a gothic cathedral, a medieval guildhall, and the Exeter Ship Canal, one of the oldest canals in the UK. The Penryn campus in Cornwall focuses on sustainability in all academic areas so this is a great choice for students in the certificate program! The English Riviera is nearby and the Cornwall campus at Penryn is right by the coast near the southwest tip of Britain for those who enjoy beaches and ocean life.

Key information

Location

Exeter, UK

Language

English

Semester

Fall, Winter, Academic year

Program type

Exchange

Application information

Application status

Open October 1, 2024

Apply Now

2025-2026 applications

Fall 2025 and Winter 2026

Priority deadline: January 5, 2025

University-specific additional requirements

Minimum GPA 3.0. See the Eligibility section below for more information

2026-2027 applications

Open October 1, 2025

Student experience

Study Abroad - The Student Experience at Exeter

UK & Ireland Info Session

Info session for the November 2024 opportunities in the United Kingdom and Ireland Highlights

Program details

Areas of Study:

Accounting, archaeology, anthropology, Arab and Islamic studies, art history, astronomy, biosciences, business, classics and ancient history, computer science, drama, economics, engineering (civil, mechanical), English, film studies, finance, geography, geology, history, management studies, math, organization studies, philosophy, physics, politics, religious studies, renewable energy, sociology, sport science, and zoology.

Languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish

If students want to study in Cornwall, they should look to see if their area of study is offered at the Penryn campus.

NEW Update - Students will no longer be able to take Psychology, Liberal Arts, or Biomedical Science courses at Exeter.

Course Information:

Courses at Exeter are called "modules". One UCalgary half course equivalent = 12 Exeter credits. Module descriptions can be found online. Students must take 60 Exeter credits per semester.

The academic year is divided into two semesters. Semester one runs from early October to mid-January and Semester two runs from mid-January to mid-June. In most cases, student can arrange to finish Semester one in late December, however business students attending for semester one will be required to take their January exams in Calgary.

There is also a summer program available at Exeter.

  1. Costs

    Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider. 

    Exeter provides cost of living information online (click here), they estimate that exchange students will need about £1015 per month for living costs including accommodation, food, books/equipment and other necessities.

    Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.

  2. Funding

    Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange?  Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.

    Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information. 

    It may be possible for a UCalgary exchange student to be nominated for an "Exeter Adventure" scholarship (availability varies year to year). Worth £630, the scholarship consists of:

    • £500 towards accommodation costs
    • A Young Person’s Railcard (1/3 off UK train travel)
    • £50 Waterstones gift card towards books and stationery
    • £20 Costa coffee gift card
    • University of Exeter hoodie

The University of Exeter has a variety of accommodation options, including both self-catered (cook for yourself) and catered (with meal plan) accommodation. Full year students are guaranteed accommodation as long as they apply by the deadline. Single semester students may still be placed in housing on a first come-first considered basis. 

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the University of Calgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B).

Students apply to UCalgary first, then we nominate accepted students who have met the minimum requirements to our partners. Once you have been nominated to Exeter, you will then apply directly to their exchange program. For more details on Exeter's application click here.

Students traveling on passports from countries that don't have English as a first language must prove their English proficiency. For more information about Exeter's requirements click here.

There are three campuses, two in Exeter and one in Cornwall. The Streatham campus is the main campus in Exeter, where the majority of students will study. St. Luke's Campus, also in Exeter, is where kinesiology students will study. The Penryn campus in Cornwall does not offer as many programs as the main campus, but has quite a few science programs.

Students with accessibility concerns should look at the accessibility information for either of the Exeter campuses or the Cornwall campus.

The UK has laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination and is a marriage equality country. There is an LGBT student group on campus.

The University of Exeter has an active and engaging student population

Tourist information in and around Exeter

Here are just a few of the things there are to see and do in Exeter.  

Exeter Cathedral

Pilgrims and visitors have been making their way to Exeter Cathedral since medieval times.  It is one of the great cathedrals of England, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe.

Exeter Quay

Used as a port since Roman times, the Quayside is one of the most interesting areas of the city and is home to a wide range of bars and restaurants, an eclectic mix of shops and a number of summer events. It is also the start point for a number of outdoor activities including cycling, walking and canoeing.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM)

Exeter’s world-class museum is home to a wide range of collections which reveal Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections as well as one of the largest natural history collections in the UK.

Exeter’s Underground Passages

View the passages underground Exeter’s City Centre, which date back to the 14th century.

Red Coat Guided Tours in Exeter

These free guided walking tours are a great way to explore Exeter and learn about its history. Tours begin outside the Royal Clarence Hotel in Cathedral Yard, or from the Quay House Visitor Centre and take place between three and four times per day.

Exmouth

Exmouth is approximately a 30 minute train journey from Exeter. The two miles of beach and the beautiful views of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast are two of the town’s main attractions. Exmouth offers a variety of activities including water sports.

Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park is located in the South West of England. Dartmoor is an area of moorland with beautiful scenery including rivers, impressive tors, and wildlife.

Plymouth

Plymouth is the largest city in Devon. There is a lot to do in this interesting city; you could go shopping in Drakes Circus, or take a walk down the historic Barbican, or visit Plymouth Hoe, which has spectacular views over the natural harbour.

Teignmouth

Teignmouth is a small picturesque seaside town with a Victorian pier, parks and a promenade.


Have questions?

Global Learning 101

Please watch this short YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment. In these videos, you will learn much of the basics about Global Learning, which may answer your initial questions.

Watch Global Learning 101

Academic Advising

Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how this program might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).

After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.

Find your academic advisor

Global Learning Advising

If you have questions, please reach out to our office! We offer drop-in advising for general inquiries, and if you have questions about this specific program or any others, you can book an appointment with the responsible advisor.

Please use the link below to find the most up-to-date information about our current advising options.

View the Global Learning Advising page

The advisor for the program is: Sydney Guthrie

How to Apply

Download the application guide

This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.

Application guide

Identify three programs of interest

We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.

Check requirements and deadlines

These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.

Start your application

Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!

Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.

APPLY NOW

International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.

For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.

If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.

Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.