Why Exeter?

Applying for Oxford University can be confusing. Every college seems to say that it is friendly and welcoming. Why choose Exeter, rather than any of the others? Here are a few good reasons:

College Character

The College has a wonderful atmosphere. It is middle-sized by Oxford standards, so everyone quickly gets to know everyone else, and it’s known as one of the friendliest colleges in Oxford.

Teaching…

You will be brilliantly taught here, by some of the best thinkers in the country and perhaps the world. You will learn to challenge, analyse and argue, and if you find the work difficult at first, there will be people to help you.

… and Leisure

Plenty of serious work gets done. However, there is also lots of music (with opportunities to join our acclaimed Chapel choir), and plenty of sport too, from rowing to rugby, and this year we have some excellent football and hockey players - male and female.

A Great Graduate Community

We work hard at making graduates feel part of the College as well as their department. Our Middle Common Room organises a tremendous social programme, including special events for married graduates. Both graduates and undergraduates are invited to the College’s array of special celebrations through the year, from Burns’ Night supper to Thanksgiving Dinner, and to hear prestigious figures speak as part of the Rector’s Seminar Series each term. And the College’s newly redeveloped graduate accommodation on Iffley Road offers top-of-the-range accommodation, as well as a ‘collegiate’ home together away from the main site.

Hardship Support

We have generous hardship funds, thanks to donations from former students, with which we can help you if you get into financial difficulties. Oxford is certainly not the most expensive university in the country - in fact, its wealth makes it easier to give money to students who needs it.

The Perfect Location

The College is astonishingly central. You walk straight out into the heart of Oxford, a few minutes from shops, cafes and bars - and from the science labs and main University libraries too.

700 Years of Excellence

The College is the fourth-oldest in the University. We were founded in 1314 - before the Black Death - and there is something marvellous about feeling part of a continuous tradition of learning stretching back for nearly 700 years. Some of this is reflected in our lovely buildings, such as our Jacobean dining Hall and our Victorian Gothic Chapel.

Alumni

The College has some extremely famous alumni. J.R.R. Tolkien was an undergraduate here, and you may be lucky enough to get his old room. So were William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, the playwright Alan Bennett, the author Martin Amis, and Philip Pullman, whose fictional Jordan College sounds extraordinarily like Exeter College!

We try hard to help students find work experience, summer internships and jobs. We encourage our alumni to help students who want contacts and advice on their careers, and we will do our best to help you after you leave, as well as while you are here.