Basic information and contact details for the University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a public research university based in Exeter, South West England. It is a member of the Russell Group of UK universities. Its motto is Lucem sequimur (we follow the light).
It has its origins in the Exeter School of Art and Exeter School of Science, which were founded in 1855 and 1863 to celebrate Prince Albert’s services to the arts and sciences. The schools merged, becoming the Royal Albert Memorial College, the University College of the South West of England and in 1955 the University of Exeter, as it received its Royal Charter.
The university is spread across four campuses: Streatham, St Luke’s in Exeter, and Truro and Penryn in Cornwall. In 1993, Camborne School of Mines was merged into the University of Exeter.
The University of Exeter is organised into six academic colleges. Their many research institutes and centres include the Centre for Leadership Studies, the Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture, and the Centre for Maritime Historical Studies. Its research themes are often interdisciplinary, and include climate change, translational medicine and exoplanets.
University of Exeter alumni include J. K. Rowling – who studied a BA in French and Classics – and politicians Sajid Javid, Caroline Lucas and Andrew Lansley.
Rankings
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World University Rankings 2025
Breakdown via year: Overall
Ranking positions 2016 to 2025
2025
=172nd
2024
=177th
2023
=137th
2022
=143rd
2021
=174th
2020
=146th
2019
141st
2018
=130th
2017
=126th
2016
93rd
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
Impact Rankings
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Impact Rankings 2024
Breakdown via year: Overall
Impact Ranking positions 2021 to 2024
2024
10th
2023
=18th
2022
=42nd
2021
63rd
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
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