Travel and Bursary
Begin your journey
Some students are eligible for financial support for the costs that they might encounter as part of their studies e.g. travel, meals, resources, kit, equipment or materials.
As the county’s only Outstanding College, we ensure that we work closely with all major providers of the region’s train and bus routes to ensure that you are supported to get to us as inexpensively as possible. If you live over 3 miles from the college site you will be studying at, we offer a subsidised travel scheme and if you are on a low income, you could be eligible for your travel (and other essential course costs) to be fully funded under the 16-19 Bursary Fund.
You can apply for a travel pass from July, however before you do this check if you are eligible for discounted or even free travel via our bursary fund.
If your household income is £50,000* or below OR are you in care, a care leaver or living independently apply to the bursary before applying for a travel pass.
*Information is accurate for 2026-2027 academic year. Household income thresholds and financial support awards may be subject to change.
Bursary Applications – Now Open for 25/26 Academic Year
Click the links below to start your application for the bursary
For PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
who are applying to start in the 2026-27 academic year
For CURRENT STUDENTS
(i.e. you are currently studying at Exeter College or you have been previously enrolled but are returning to study in the 2025-26 academic year)
If you are unable to apply using our online system, please click here to leave your details and request that a paper form is posted to you.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Bursary Administrators on:
Email: bursary@exe-coll.ac.uk
Phone: 01392 400526
16-19 Bursary Fund
Some students are eligible for financial support for the costs that they might encounter as part of their studies.
- Is your household income £50,000 or below OR are you in care, a care leaver or living independently?
- Are you struggling to afford to come to College?
- If you are in receipt of universal credit then you would be eligible for free college meals
The 16-19 bursary may be able to help with the cost of travel, free meals, academy fees, essential books, equipment and specialist clothing and essential trips and visits.
Click here to view 16-19 Bursary Information 2025-26, including information about eligibility and evidence required.
We have expert advisors available to assist with applications and queries at interview and open events throughout the academic year:
The Bursary Team is located on the ground floor of the Tower Building, Hele Road site
Email: bursary@exe-coll.ac.uk
Phone: 01392 400526
The Travel Team is located on the 1st floor of the Tower Building, in the Finance office
Email: travelscheme@exe-coll.ac.uk
Phone: 01392 400100
Travel Support Available
Travel Passes
We run an Exeter College subsidised travel pass scheme. You could save hundreds of pounds with our travel passes. Information is sent out over summer by text and email so you will find out everything you need to know about how to get to your place of study before you start College.
National Rail 16-17 Saver
National Rail also offer the 16-17 Rail Card which costs £30 and entitles you to 50% off most rail tickets. This could be a great option from some stations and can give you the chance to save even more, as you can apply the discount on other routes too, not just to and from College.
Bike
We have secure cycle racks at our College sites and bus stops and train stations are never far away.
Bus
There are plenty of city and countywide buses to get you to your destination.
Train
If you catch the train, the majority of College sites are less than 10-15 minute walk from a train station.
Useful Links
We’ve put together the following links to travel providers that you may also find useful:
Free meals
National transitional protection for free meals ends on 31st August 2026, therefore, for the 2026-27 academic year claimants for free school meals need to prove they are in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of Household income, you will be asked to upload your latest UC award notice / statement as proof of eligibility.
Exeter College uses a cashless system to allocate a £4.00 allowance to the student’s ID card each timetabled day in college. It is an anonymous system. Unused amounts do not roll over.
If you think you might be eligible please use the link above to apply, or for more information contact our Bursary Advisers on bursary@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400526.
Residential Support Scheme
The Residential Support Scheme provides financial support with accommodation costs for learners (aged between 16 and 18) who need to live away from home to study because their course is not available locally (this will need to be confirmed by the ESFA).
If you think you might be eligible and want to apply, you can contact Exeter College’s Bursary Advisers on 01392 400526.
Army Bursary Scheme
If you are keen to go into the Army at the end of your College course and are doing a full time vocational course or A Levels, find out about the Army Bursary Scheme.
Visit www.army.mod.uk or talk to a College Adviser before completing your application.