INDIAN STUDENTS · COMPLETE GUIDE · UPDATED APRIL 2026
University of Exeter for Indian Students
- Ranking: #155 globally (QS 2026, ↑14 places), #11 in UK (CUG) fastest-rising Russell Group.
- Fees: £18,800–£48,900/year (₹23L–₹59L). Living costs 25–35% lower than London.
- Entry for Indians: 80%+ Class 12 CBSE/ISC (UG); 55–65%+ degree (PG). IELTS 6.5.
- Scholarships: Up to £10,000/year for Indians (India Scholarship + Exeter Excellence combined).
- Gold TEF: One of very few Russell Group with both RG membership AND Gold TEF rare dual distinction.
- Post-study work visa: 18 months (Graduate Route) NOT 2 years. Plan accordingly.
Rapid Ranking Rise
Jumped from #169 to #155 in QS 2026 14 places. Now in the top 10% of 8,000 universities assessed worldwide. Momentum matters.
Gold TEF Rating
One of very few Russell Group universities to hold both Russell Group membership AND a Gold TEF award a rare dual distinction for teaching excellence.
Dedicated India Office
850+ Indian students. Dedicated India Office with India-specific scholarships, local agent support, and tailored admissions guidance for Indian boards.
The University of Exeter, part of the Russell Group universities , ranks #155 globally (QS 2026). It offers top courses in Business, Law, Data Science, and Environmental Science, with over £7M in scholarships, making it ideal to study in the UK for Indian students.
University of Exeter Rankings 2026
| Ranking System | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #153 | #169 | #155 ▲ |
| Times Higher Education (THE) | #177 | #172 | #170 ▲ |
| Complete University Guide (UK) | #14 | #14 | #11 ▲ |
| THE Impact Rankings | — | — | #10 globally |
Mineral & Mining Engineering #19 World, Top 5 UK. Arts & Humanities #90 World. Business & Management Top 200 World, Top 25 UK. Social Sciences Top 200 World, Top 25 UK. Top 2.5% globally for Research Quality (THE 2026). #13 UK for graduate employability (High Fliers 2026).
Fees for Indian Students (INR)
Undergraduate Fees
| Course Category | Annual Fee (£) | Annual Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences | £24,950 | ₹26.4 lakh |
| Business & Economics | £24,950 | ₹26.4 lakh |
| Engineering & Computer Science | £26,500–£29,900 | ₹28–₹31.7 lakh |
| Biosciences, Psychology, Environmental | £26,500 | ₹28 lakh |
| Medicine (MBBS) | £48,900 | ₹51.8 lakh |
Postgraduate (Master's) Fees
| Course Category | Annual Fee (£) | Annual Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science / AI | £28,000–£30,000 | ₹29.7–₹31.8 lakh |
| MBA (Full-time) | £32,000–£39,000 | ₹33.9–₹41.3 lakh |
| MA / MSc Humanities & Social Sci | £21,000–£24,000 | ₹22.3–₹25.4 lakh |
| MSc Engineering | £26,000–£28,000 | ₹27.6–₹29.7 lakh |
| LLM Law | £22,000–£25,000 | ₹23.3–₹26.5 lakh |
Total Annual Cost Estimate
| Expense | Annual (£) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | £21,000–£39,000 | ₹22–₹41 lakh |
| Accommodation | £5,000–£9,000 | ₹5.3–₹9.5 lakh |
| Food & Groceries | £2,400–£3,600 | ₹2.5–₹3.8 lakh |
| Transport & Personal | £1,800–£2,700 | ₹1.9–₹2.9 lakh |
| Total | £30,000–£54,000 | ₹31.8–₹57.2 lakh |
Exeter is in South West England where living costs are 25–35% lower than London a meaningful saving for Indian families without sacrificing Russell Group quality.
Get into the University of Exeter
We support you with UCAT prep, academic assessment, scholarships, and visa process.
Popular Courses for Indian Students
Top Undergraduate Courses
| Course | Duration | Annual Fee (£) | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Business Economics | 3 years | £24,950 | 6.5 |
| BSc Computer Science | 3 years | £26,500 | 6.5 |
| BSc Accounting & Finance | 3 years | £24,950 | 6.5 |
| BEng Engineering | 3–4 years | £26,500 | 6.5 |
| BSc Environmental Science | 3 years | £26,500 | 6.5 |
| BMBS Medicine | 5 years | £48,900 | 7.0 |
Top Postgraduate Courses
| Course | Duration | Annual Fee (£) | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science with AI | 1 year | £28,000 | 6.5 |
| MSc Finance & Investment | 1 year | £28,000 | 6.5 |
| MSc Business Analytics | 1 year | £26,000 | 6.5 |
| MBA (Full-time) | 1 year | £32,000+ | 6.5 |
| MSc Climate Change | 1 year | £22,000 | 6.5 |
| LLM Law | 1 year | £22,000 | 7.0 |
| MSc Psychology (Conversion) | 1 year | £22,000 | 6.5 |
Scholarships for Indian Students
| Scholarship | Value | Level | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| India UG Scholarship | £3,000/yr | UG | Indian passport; self-funded |
| India PG Scholarship | £5,000 | PG | Indian passport; self-funded |
| Exeter Excellence (UG) | £3,000–£5,000/yr | UG | Offer holders; academic merit |
| Exeter Excellence (PG) | £3,000–£10,000 | PG | Merit + personal statement |
| GREAT Scholarship | £10,000 | PG | Full-time PG; Indian nationals |
| Green Futures Scholarship | Full tuition + £16,536 stipend | PG | Sustainability programmes; 1st class equiv |
| Chevening / Exeter MStrat | Fully funded | PG | Outstanding leadership; UK FCDO |
| Commonwealth Shared | Fully funded | PG | Developing Commonwealth countries |
| Sports Scholarship | £3,000–£3,500/yr | UG & PG | Elite athletes |
India Scholarship + Exeter Excellence can be combined to a maximum of £10,000/year. You cannot hold two Exeter scholarships simultaneously beyond this cap.
1. Apply for your course first (UCAS or portal). 2. Receive your offer. 3. Complete the scholarship webform on Exeter's funding portal. 4. Submit a 300-word personal statement (academic interest, career goals, financial need, community engagement). 5. Pay tuition deposit. Decisions communicated after enrolment confirmation.
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Admission Requirements for Indian Students
UG Academic Requirements by Board
| Indian Board | Minimum Aggregate |
|---|---|
| CBSE / CISCE (ISC) | 80–90% (programme-dependent) |
| West Bengal Board | 70% |
| Maharashtra Board | 80% |
| Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, AP, Telangana | 80% |
| Other Regional Boards | 85% (individual review) |
English Language Requirements
| Test | Standard | Higher (Law/Medicine) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 (no band below 6.0) | 7.0 (no band below 6.5) |
| TOEFL iBT | 87 | 100 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | 68 |
| Duolingo | 120 | 130 |
If you achieved 60–70% in Class 12 English (CBSE/ISC), you may qualify for an English language waiver for UG entry. Contact the Exeter India Office for your board and programme.
Overall: approximately 73–87%. UG: ~87.5%. PG: ~75%. Competitive programmes (Medicine, Law, Data Science) have stricter requirements. One of the more accessible Russell Group universities.
How to Apply Step-by-Step
Choose Your Programme
Browse exeter.ac.uk. Verify academic requirements, IELTS, and fees per programme page.
Prepare Documents
Class 12/Bachelor's marksheets, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE, personal statement, 2 references, passport, CV (MBA: work experience certificate).
Submit Application
UG: UCAS by January 2026 for September entry. PG: direct via exeter.ac.uk apply early for scholarships.
Accept Offer & Apply for Scholarships
Pay tuition deposit. Immediately apply for India Scholarship + Exeter Excellence via the webform. Write a strong 300-word statement.
Apply for UK Student Visa
Apply 3 months before course start. CAS number, financial evidence, IELTS, IHS (~£776/year), visa fee £490.
Arrange Accommodation & Arrive
New students guaranteed a place if applied before deadline. Options: £130–£250/week. Attend International Welcome Week.
Exeter vs Other Russell Group Universities
| University | QS 2026 | UK Rank | PG Fees (avg) | Accept. Rate | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter | #155 | #11 | £22K–£32K | 73–87% | Exeter (SW) |
| Edinburgh | #27 | #4 | £26K–£35K | ~42% | Edinburgh |
| Bristol | #55 | #6 | £26K–£34K | ~58% | Bristol |
| Leeds | #86 | #10 | £22K–£28K | ~76% | Leeds |
| Sheffield | #113 | #13 | £20K–£26K | ~78% | Sheffield |
| Nottingham | #100 | #15 | £22K–£29K | ~72% | Nottingham |
Russell Group prestige with a more accessible acceptance rate than Edinburgh or Bristol, lower cost of living than most major UK cities, India-specific scholarships up to £10K, and a consistently improving ranking trajectory.
Campus Life for Indian Students
Indian Community
850+ Indian students. Active Indian Society: Holi, Diwali, cultural events, community gatherings. Multiple Indian restaurants and takeaways within walking distance of Streatham Campus.
Student Guild (#3 UK)
Ranked 3rd in UK (Student Crowd 2025). One of the most active student unions. World-class Sports Park with dedicated Sports Scholarship scheme for elite athletes.
Employability
Top 15 most targeted by UK employers (High Fliers 2026). Recruiters: Deloitte, PwC, Rolls-Royce, IBM, NHS, Civil Service. Research output grew 60% in past decade.
5 Common Myths Busted
⚠️ "Exeter is too difficult to get into"
With 73–87% acceptance rate, Exeter is one of the more accessible Russell Group universities. 80%+ in Class 12 (CBSE/ISC) or 55–65% in Bachelor's puts you in a competitive position.
⚠️ "There are no scholarships for Indians"
Exeter is investing £7 million in international scholarships in 2026/27 with dedicated India-specific awards. Combined funding up to £10,000/year.
⚠️ "The UK offers a 2-year post-study work visa"
Incorrect. The Graduate Route allows 18 months for UG/PG (24 months for PhD). Do not confuse with Australia's longer work rights. Plan your career timeline accordingly.
⚠️ "Exeter is too remote from London"
London is approximately 2.5 hours by train. Exeter is a compact, safe, walkable university town with lower living costs and strong industry connections in finance, environmental tech, and digital media.
⚠️ "All Russell Group universities have similar fees"
Notable variation exists. Exeter's fees (£21K–£32K for most PG) are at or below the RG average. Lower Devon living costs mean total spend is often significantly less than London, Bristol, or Edinburgh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion: Is Exeter Right for You?
If you're looking for a Russell Group university with rising global rankings, genuine scholarship funding for Indians, lower living costs than London, and strong graduate employment outcomes Exeter is a compelling choice.
Three things to remember:
Rankings Are Improving Fast
Exeter climbed 14 places in QS 2026 and is now #11 in the UK. Momentum matters your degree's reputation rises with the university.
Scholarships Are Real and Accessible
Up to £10,000/year for Indian students who apply promptly after receiving their offer. £7 million invested in 2026/27.
18-Month Graduate Route
Gives you time to build your UK career after graduating plan your job search strategy before you even arrive.
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