Student Accommodation in Exeter

Exeter’s compact layout makes getting around refreshingly simple, whether you are heading to lectures, meeting friends in the city centre, or catching a train home for the weekend. Many student areas are walkable, while the city’s bus routes make travelling between accommodation, campus, and central Exeter easy.

For longer journeys, Exeter is well connected by rail, with Exeter St David’s and Exeter Central offering access to destinations across Devon, the South West, and major UK cities. Students can also make use of discounted student bus tickets and term-time passes from Stagecoach, helping keep regular travel affordable throughout the academic year.

Exeter gives students a city with real depth: Roman walls, medieval streets, a magnificent cathedral, and a cultural scene that feels thoughtful without being overwhelming. Beyond your studies, you can explore landmarks such as Exeter Cathedral, the historic Quayside, the Underground Passages and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, which brings together art, natural history, and the city’s 2,000-year story.

Exeter is also recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, giving the city a creative identity rooted in books, storytelling, and independent culture. From small galleries and theatre spaces to literary events, heritage walks and riverside markets, Exeter offers plenty to explore between lectures. Choosing student accommodation in Exeter’s city centre means being close to the city’s most characterful corners, while still staying within easy reach of campus.

Exeter offers a student lifestyle that can feel more relaxed and manageable than larger UK cities, though costs will depend on your accommodation, lifestyle, and spending habits. For 2026, the University of Exeter estimates that a single student living in Exeter or Cornwall may need approximately £1,300 to £2,000 per month. This covers basic living expenses, including rent, food, transport, utilities, clothes, entertainment, and socialising.
 

Creating a monthly budget is one of the easiest ways to stay in control, especially when rent is likely to be your biggest outgoing. Our interactive cost of living calculator can help students estimate monthly expenses more realistically and plan around accommodation, travel, groceries, and social costs. To manage your budget effectively, it is worth comparing student areas near campus, looking for all-inclusive bills, and checking for cashback offers or incentives on private student accommodation in Exeter.

Exeter’s food and drink scene is one of the city’s biggest student perks. It has a strong mix of independent cafés, relaxed brunch spots, riverside restaurants, and cosy pubs, making it easy to find somewhere for a quick coffee, a low-key dinner, or a post-lecture catch-up.

The Quayside is a favourite for waterside dining and weekend drinks, while the city centre is packed with cafés, bakeries, restaurants and student-friendly places to eat. Exeter also has a strong local food culture, with Devon produce, farmers’ markets, and independent venues giving the city a more distinctive flavour than a typical high street-heavy student town.

Exeter is a great city for students who want shopping without the stress of a huge city centre. Princesshay is the main retail destination, offering a mix of well-known fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and food brands, while the surrounding streets bring in independent shops, cafés, and smaller boutiques.

Students can also explore Guildhall Shopping & Dining for everyday essentials, casual food spots, and high street stores. Because Exeter city centre is compact and walkable, it is easy to run errands, shop for uni supplies, or meet friends without spending half the day travelling across the city.

Exeter has a proud sporting culture, giving students plenty to watch, play, and get involved in. Rugby is a major part of the city’s identity, with Exeter Chiefs bringing top-level match days to Sandy Park. Football fans can follow Exeter City FC at St James Park, one of the most accessible stadiums from the city centre.

For students who prefer taking part, Exeter offers gyms, running routes, green spaces, and riverside activities, with the Quayside providing opportunities for cycling, walking, and watersports. The University of Exeter also has a strong sporting reputation, with clubs and facilities covering everything from team sports to fitness, outdoor activities, and recreational leagues.