At the University of Exeter, we combine teaching excellence and high levels of student satisfaction with world-class research at our campuses in Exeter and Cornwall. We are a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities. Our success is built on a strong partnership with our students and a clear concentrate on high performance. The University of Exeter combines world-class research with excellent student satisfaction, from our campuses in the South West of England, in Exeter and Cornwall. We are one of the very few universities to be both a member of the Russell Group and have a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), evidence of our founded international reputation for excellence in both teaching and research.

Altering lives through education since 1851

The University of Exeter has been dedicated to the discovery and altering lives through education since 1851 when the Exeter Schools of Art and Science were set up. In 1922 we became the University College of the South West, receiving our Charter in 1955, achieving entire university status, and becoming the University of Exeter. The University was attended in 1978 by St Luke’s College of Education (est. 1840) and in 2004 we opened the Penryn Campus, enlarging the provision of higher education in Cornwall. Today, we’re a member of the Russell Group, recognized for both our research and teaching excellence.

Values with a difference

The values describe our defining characteristics – what makes Exeter different – and make the assumption that everyone subscribes to a common code of decency. They describe our collective aspirations and are a reference point for setting strategies, and objectives for teams and individuals, as well as guiding everyday decisions.

Why do we need common values?

“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are…” Our successful trajectory over the past 15 years has shown that we have some strong implicit values. We have set ambitious goals, we have been unafraid of challenges, to give just two examples. But at the moment our values as a university are not explicit. By being clear about our collective values, we can create a common framework (or ‘lens’) to frame our decisions, our behaviors, and our relationships.

Our strategies

Our Strategy, Making the exceptional happen 2016 – 2021, found how we will work towards achieving our mission and lay the establishments for our future success as a Global 100 research leader.