Does anyone have dc at Falmouth (or Exeter Penryn)?

[Zwicky]

Just wondering what it’s like. DD wants to go to an open day as she really likes the look of a course there. I started looking at trains/buses but it’s MUCH further than it looks on a map so realistically I will have to drive her. It’s a bit much to do in a day so will probably stay overnight.

I can see why she likes the course, it definitely looks better than any of the others she is considering but it looks so small. DD is a very social party person who loves shopping and I’m worried she will struggle in such a small place. It doesn’t seem close to any large towns so I’m wondering if that impacts social life, paid work and accommodation. The course looks great, but realistically it’s not the only consideration. She could probably suck up limited clubbing opportunities but we aren’t well off and she is has 3 siblings still dependent so she will need to work and we can’t afford very expensive accommodation. I know lots of places, even big ones like Glasgow and Manchester have accommodation issues but with Falmouth where do you go when there looks to be so little sprawl.

I think if you like the outdoor life it's fine. If she likes clubbing and shopping then no.

Which course is it?

The campus(es) are lovely and the atmosphere is great. Penryn and Falmouth and both great for vintage/thrift shopping and there's a really strong student led 'vibe' around things like that.

There aren't any massive clubs close by but there is still a nightlife, it's just adapted to where they are.

It's close to Truro and a lot of students work in bars/shops/restaurants - don't forget it's rammed with tourists in summer so there's plenty of money to be made.

Penryn train station is close(ish) to that campus and the considering it's Cornwall the bus service is pretty good.

It's a different type of uni experience, but a fantastic one, and in an amazing part of the world.

It’s one of the film courses. I think it’s Penryn rather than Falmouth but I may have that wrong.

Do students live in Truro and commute or is it a bit far? Vintage/thrift is good - that’s her “go to” but she’s used to being around a lot of them as well as big chain shops. She will be home for several months a year. The social side is more important I think. Not outdoorsy but does love the beach. Won’t be joining any sports clubs or going solo hiking or anything like that.

My 2 youngest went to/are at the Penryn campus. Both lived in Falmouth from Thier second year and travel by bus. There's plenty bars/restaurants in Falmouth but shopping is better in Truro which is a short train ride away. Both of mine have loved it, enjoyed the beaches and social life. It's not a big campus but it's beautiful.

I don't know about the uni but live locally and there are tons of students living in Falmouth who bus in to the university in Penryn. Have lived in Penryn in the past and it's a bit dull. Very quiet and dead. Falmouth is bustling with nightlife for students and there is plenty going on although Truro is even better and it's 20-25 mins on the train. The whole of Cornwall is definitely devoid of that big city energy but that doesn't matter if you're okay with it. Tons of students have barbecues in the beach in Falmouth and seem to have a very happy life

One of my children went to Falmouth, lived in university accommodation in Penryn in first year then shared houses in Falmouth. Absolutely loved it

Driven down at beginning of first year and after finishing. We had to go down to move stuff into and out of local storage from time to time. Otherwise travelled back and forth by train, as did most on the course.

Local, rather than a student or student parent, here, so can't comment on the campus/accommodation specifics. Can reassure you that earning money is unlikely to be a problem though! Hospitality industry here is crying out for employees. My eldest child is 16, and none of their peers have had any difficulty finding evening/Saturday/holiday jobs.
Falmouth feels like quite a studenty town - proportionally, they make up quite a lot of the population. It really isn't a big city experience (and neither is Truro - we go up to Plymouth/Exeter every once in a while for a chain store shopping), but it's a fun town and the beach/coast stuff is lovely if you like that kind of thing.

My DS started there this year and is absolutely loving it. It’s nice that the Exeter and Falmouth Uni students share accommodation on campus. There has been plenty of partying going on, lots of surfing too (with dolphins today)! Falmouth has a lovely studenty vibe. Am quite envious really! There seems to be plenty of student accommodation in Falmouth for 2/3rd years.

A friends son was at Penrhyn . Wasn’t particularly sporty/ outdoorsy - but became so . Every spare bit of cash he earned was spent in developing his new passion for scuba diving which he took up there . He loved it .