National
Participants outside of the South West of England join our National pathway, which is completed through a four day in-person residential experience.
On the four-day campus residential, you will get both the chance to stay in university halls and explore the area around the University of Exeter, and the opportunity to explore academic subjects in more detail. Subject strands take place at either the Streatham campus in Exeter, Devon or the Penryn campus in Penryn, Cornwall.
2026 residential dates:
- Penryn residential (Cornwall): Tuesday 7th July - Friday 10th July 2026
- Exeter residential (Devon): Monday 27th July - Thursday 30th July 2026
There are different subject strands available for each pathway, and applicants will be asked on the application form to choose their preferred subject strand. Students can only complete ONE of the pathways. New for 2026, we are offering elective subjects alongside your Core Subject Strand choice, to give you a taste of some additional subjects that you might be interested in.
We aim to place participants on their first choice of residential and subject strand, but due to demand and availability we are not always able to do so. In this case, we will place participants on their second choice of residential and subject strand. Please do try to choose a residential and subject strand (see lists below) for your second choice that you would be just as happy to study as part of the Exeter Scholars programme. The subject you choose for Exeter Scholars does not tie you to that subject when applying to the university.
Applications for the National Residential Pathway will open on Monday 27th April 2026 until Friday 5th June at 12noon. You can complete an Expression of Interest form and you will receive an email when applications open.
If you live OUTSIDE the South West (Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset & Bristol), you can apply.
Please fill in the application form together with your parent/carer as there parts of the form for you both to complete.