Exeter uni reassurance please!

[seymour]

Hi there, my daughter just got into Exeter uni through clearing but while she liked it when she visited ahead of the application process, she didn’t plump for it as her first choice as she felt it was quite “posh” and wasn’t sure if she would fit in. We are from a big city and she went to a comprehensive. Not trying to cause offence to anyone from a privileged background btw, we very much take every person as we find them, as does my daughter but just wondered if anyone could share their kids’ experiences? Thanks so much.

That’s absolutely the case @Annasoror . There will doubtlessly be a few obnoxious types (true probably everywhere) irrespective of education background but the vast, vast majority will be perfectly pleasant young people who will find their “tribe”, and discover that although they may come from a range of educational backgrounds their shared interest(s) is what bonds them together. And probably often none the wiser and / or have the slightest interest in what sort of school their new friends attended.

My comprehensive educated northern daughter is at Exeter as is a school friend in the year above. Distance from the north means they are in the minority but both happy and thriving with a real mix of friends from the state, private and grammar systems. Like all unis, you get what you put in. A green campus, proximity to the sea, a variety of societies and a friendly community works for them, the distance home can be challenging when they need some TLC. Yes, it's expensive accommodation wise, but that's not an issue confined to Exeter sadly.

On that note, my daughter has relatively cheap accommodation in halls at Exeter. It’s about £5k a year. I think it’s the cheapest for first year. Just in case helpful for anyone.

This!

There are definitely Uni's for those who went private but for whom Uni is a lifestyle choice more than a career pathway ( so not those destined for proper academic stuff at Oxford, Durham, LSE, KCL etc) In my day they tended to gravitate to York or Oxford Brooke's depending on how bright they actually were.

I think Exeter has replaced York in terms of "posh popularity" somewhat.

What a ridiculous, arrogant post.

Agree, a ridiculous post.

Oxford brookes has engineering courses, nursing courses plus many more. Hardly aimed at those not thinking about careers.

Oxford Brookes is brilliant for hospitality and catering courses as well - isn't that a career??

What a load of bollocks. Exeter is one of the main "rejection from Oxbridge" favourites along with Bristol and Durham. DD and many of her friends were all Oxbridge entrants, but unfortunately didn't get a place. Hardly a group of non-aspirational students.

"proper academic stuff" - really showing your education there @Everyoneesleistheproblem

@lastdayatschool And there we have it... 😀. According to blind applications my education isn't relevant anyway. Wah wah

My daughter has just got a place at Exeter, let me tell you ! I am absolutely honoured she got a accepted. We come from a council area living in a council house! So we fall into the typical disadvantaged families. She’s an A student with 5 A in GCSEs considering she suffered with mental health issues (eating disorder related) I am a single parent. I come from nothing ! Been in the care system and so on ! But I have raised my child to accept anyone & everyone from diverse backgrounds. We don’t judge the rich or the poor. It’s important to be open minded towards any individuals.

I also implemented that we all deserve the same educational opportunities regardless of our backgrounds, age & socioeconomic status ! Some may have to work harder than others due to limited opportunities. Let me tell you, I did very poor at school for many reasons (was classed as incompetent due to hearing and dyslexia )but I knew I would I have a different approach if I had a child one day !

Further down the line, I eventually managed to get my degree with a first class considering I have zero GCSEs . My daughter was around 7 when I was studying. She watched my struggles academically because I didn’t have the same educational opportunities as she will have. I am now a lecturer 🥰. I taught my daughter that no matter how hard or how differently you get treated. Raise above the rest & never lose faith. Appreciate any and every educational opportunities in life & don’t look down on the those who are fortunate or less fortunate. We are all equal.

We don’t get to choose are paths from a young age, but we are responsible for the way we develop as adults. Some students don’t choose to come from wealthy backgrounds! In fact I met some who wished they could live a more simple life away from pressure to be a certain way to continue to be accepted within the rich community!

Anyways, my daughter could have applied for Oxford & Cambridge as she offered a free stay at both for events aimed at A level students (only 5 for selected )We loved both places. However, she felt that Exeter offer more opportunities in the Psychology area.

My point is that it’s important to teach our families, children & friends that we should embrace each other as people and not based on our poor or rich backgrounds!

Congratulations to your daughter, @mini124! And well done to you for supporting her along the way.

This is quite an old thread, and if I remember correctly there were some mixed comments about Exeter, but all I'd say is that I'm sure your DD will have a wonderful time. If she goes with a positive attitude and gets stuck in early with her course and some clubs she will almost certainly find her tribe/ a good group of friends.

My DS had a wonderful time at Exeter uni and has made lifelong friends from a wide range of backgrounds.
Has she chosen accommodation yet?

Hey thank you for your reply & kind words ! I am so happy to hear your daughter had a wonderful time there !

she has a close friend who also got in so at least she won’t be alone. We are stuck on accommodation choices. My daughter’s eating habits will make it very hard to use the on campus shared kitchen 🙈. It’s really important that she is able to make her own meals as we only eat halal food. She’s looking at studio apartments 15 min walk from the university at £235 per week 🙈. Any tips or recommendations. She is keen to get a job to help pay towards her accommodation fees.

@mini124 Has she looked at the studios in Birks Grange halls on the campus? They have their own kitchens also.

My DS is in his 2nd year at Exeter and loves it. He also had a friend from school join at the same time, which definitely helped in navigating the early months

One of my DSs goes to Exeter. He was self catering in Moberley for his first year and the halls had recently been renovated, so kitchen and shared areas were very good and he liked it there. It was a shortish walk to campus. Good luck to your daughter, I hope she does well, makes lots of friends and has a great time.

I wonder if it’s worth asking the uni about halal and self catering. They might have provision to put students with such needs together in a uni owned self catering flat. Studios anbd especially privately run halls are hugely expensive and you lose the communal element. Your DC can’t be the first to have this need.
Unis are usually pretty good about diversity and accommodating needs - quiet accommodation for those who benefit from it, single sex etc etc. it’s worth asking for their advice.