Exeter uni

[Lovemusic33]

Dd1 is at the end of her first year in A level and is looking at uni’s, she has always had her heart set in Exeter, due to covid she has been unable to visit. Dd1 has Aspergers and some mobility issues. Is there anyone that can give us some insight into what it’s like at Exeter uni? Is there support for those with Autism? What’s accommodation like? And is there much walking involved getting to lectures?

Sorry for all the questions 😬, having not been to uni myself I have no idea what it’s like. I’m hoping she will be able to visit before applying next year.

Surely that's an either or comment, both are very similar in demographics.

Sorry I don't understand your comment.

He thinks Exeter is not left wing but is more conservative.

@AvocadoPlant
Glad things have improved. We made a comment to the Uni at the time. DS was diagnosed in Year 13 too and found it quite difficult to get his head around it all, so it really didn't help. The adaptive software is fabulous, trying coloured filters didn't help but the programmes really helped. DSs employers have purchased it for him as he thought he could manage without it, but discovered life is so much better with it.
DH is from Exeter and DS would have quite liked to go there but he didn't feel it would be a good choice.

DD never considered the politics or cost of living when choosing her course, for her it was the best course that would allow an alternative PS so that was Exeter and Durham. Having offers from both & then visiting she much preferred Exeter.

It’s a pretty large uni and I’m sure there are many students who don’t confirm to the right wing stereotypes being talked about here, DD certainly doesn’t. I’m confident she will find her tribe of like minded people.
And that she will learn from those whose opinions she doesn’t agree with, it’s all part of developing into a rounded adult surely.

@RainingYetAgain thank you, good to know the s/ware was so useful, and that’s so good to hear about your DS employers getting this for him too

I only posted about the politics because the OP had specifically mentioned that her DD believed the university to be very left wing which is what she wants (and that is not the way it is generally perceived to be). I suspect most students don't have a clue about the political leanings of the student body as a whole when they apply to a university. Why would they? Aren't they mainly interested in the course, the social life and the accommodation?

If she likes English and is after the security of a campus , has she considered York? Lovely place with top-notch reputation for English. Not remotely hilly. Inclusive.

@HasaDigaEebowai

I only posted about the politics because the OP had specifically mentioned that her DD believed the university to be very left wing which is what she wants (and that is not the way it is generally perceived to be). I suspect most students don't have a clue about the political leanings of the student body as a whole when they apply to a university. Why would they? Aren't they mainly interested in the course, the social life and the accommodation?

Dd isn’t really basing her choice on politics, it’s just politics is something she has felt passionate about from a early age (she has considered doing politics at uni), I guess it’s one of her ASD obsessions/special subjects though I hate it being called that. Because dd has ASD she is not interested in the social life or the accommodation, she’s a bit of a loner and would happily live in a small room as long as she had all her tech 🤣 so she isn’t “most students”.

@Piggywaspushed

If she likes English and is after the security of a campus , has she considered York? Lovely place with top-notch reputation for English. Not remotely hilly. Inclusive.

Thank you, I have mentioned York to her, I think the distance worries her as it’s further away than Exeter.

Bath?

? University of East Anglia ?

Bath doesn't do English!

Oh shame York is too far. Would otherwise be brilliant.

Bath spa does English? (I think), I love the look of bath and it’s only a hours drive from us but dd isn’t as keen, we will look.

But Bath is hilly isn't it?

I wouldn't say Bath Spa was in her general academic range if we are talking in the Exeter ballpark...

Is Birmingham too far? Flat campus, v good for English. Also Warwick.

I assumed all the decent universities would do English. I’m surprised. I only suggested it because its close by.

Bath started out very social science and sciencey . It doesn't do most arts subjects, oddly enough (eg also no history)

@Piggywaspushed

But Bath is hilly isn't it?

I wouldn't say Bath Spa was in her general academic range if we are talking in the Exeter ballpark...

Is Birmingham too far? Flat campus, v good for English. Also Warwick.

That’s how she feels about Bath, she’s worked very hard to keep on track for one of the top uni’s, there’s still a chance she could get offered Oxford but she’s unsure if she would take it.

We haven’t looked at Birmingham or Warwick, I shall add them to the list 🙂

The campus at Birmingham is beautiful, and has its own train station

I would imagine Exeter is expensive. My dd is going to go to Cambridge in September and we expect to pay significantly less over the 3 years (on rent/living expenses) than any of our friends with children going to RG unis /Bath etc. I think Cambridge is pretty heavily subsidised.

@Chilldonaldchill

I would imagine Exeter is expensive. My dd is going to go to Cambridge in September and we expect to pay significantly less over the 3 years (on rent/living expenses) than any of our friends with children going to RG unis /Bath etc. I think Cambridge is pretty heavily subsidised.

Apologies. That was response to the poster saying they hadn't considered Iodide or Cambridge due to cost.

Your school is incorrect though OP if they say Oxford doesn't take many state school kids. The majority of places are given to state school kids.

My dd also has high functioning autism. My advice to you is to look at universities close to you because we found that we needed to provide support quite often. My dd unfortunately had to drop out during covid but is going elsewhere in October around 50 mins away - far enough to be leaving home but close enough that I can go over for the evening for moral support. Some universities have better support services than others and their ranking isn't necessarily reflecting whether it's the right university for your dd - often lower ranked institutions are set up better to meet the needs of non standard students

I live in Exeter and studied at Exeter uni. With regards to Exeter politically, the city itself has a labour MP, and most of the Exeter council seats are labour. However I wouldn't say the uni is very left wing, it has quite a high private school hooray Henry demographic. Although of course there is still a good mix of students from different backgrounds

To the PP who had ruled out both of Oxbridge as they expected rent to be expensive - target colleges that can accommodate living in for all three years and it's much cheaper than private rent, possibly one of the cheapest ways to be a student. Look at Oxbridge again, if your DC has the grades.

Do go and look at York, it's a lovely city and may be worth the extra distance. I agree Birmingham is also a lovely campus, and while Warwick is a bit of a concrete jungle, it's also a great uni and well connected travel-wise.