Which Famous People Have Studied At The University Of Exeter?
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Famous People Who Have Studied At The University Of Exeter

Vincent Ralph March 13, 2023

The University of Exeter has seen some very famous faces pass through its doors when they were fresh-faced students. Set in a beautiful location, this is one uni that has everything. So which famous people have graduated from the University of Exeter? Here are some of the biggest names to have studied there.

First up is Will Young the well-known musician, actor, and winner of the UK’s first ever Pop Idol competition. Who can forget that final against Gareth Gates, when Young upset the odds having previously put Simon Cowell in his place? Will Young graduated from the University of Exeter with a degree in politics. This degree helped him in his career as he delved into political activism and took a stand for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Young has sold millions of albums worldwide and has won several awards including two Brit Awards. He has also starred in several films and television shows and enjoyed a stint in the West End. Of all the famous people to have studied at the University of Exeter, Young is one of the most flexible in terms of talent.

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Next on our list of famous alumni is the fearless Caroline Lucas, the Green Party politician and former leader of the party. Lucas graduated from the University of Exeter with a degree in English Literature.

Lucas was the first Green Party member to be elected to the UK parliament and has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues. In 2014, she was awarded the MP of the Year Award for her work in championing sustainable living. In an era when so many MPs embarrass themselves and become mired in sleaze, Lucas continues to shine a light on the most important issues facing our planet.

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Thom Yorke also studied at Exeter. He is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the band Radiohead. Yorke studied Fine Art and English Literature at the uni and took that creativity into his time with one of the biggest bands on the planet.

Yorke’s career has been a phenomenal success. He has sold millions of records worldwide, won several awards, and is often hailed as one of the greatest musicians of all time.

Royalty Has Studied At The University Of Exeter

Zara Phillips is next on our list. She is a well-known equestrian and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Phillips studied at the University of Exeter, where she earned a degree in physiotherapy.

Phillips has won numerous titles including a gold medal at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. She is also known for her charitable work and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her services to equestrianism.

Anyone who loves The Crown will be familiar with the final alumnus on our list – actress Vanessa Kirby. She is best known for her role as Princess Margaret in the Netflix series. Kirby studied English Literature at the uni. She has gone on to win several awards for her work on stage and screen, including an Emmy for her role in The Crown. She is also a passionate activist for women’s rights and has used her platform to raise awareness about issues such as domestic violence.

Related: The University of Birmingham Has A Rich History Of Famous Alumni

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Vincent Ralph is Senior Managing Editor at GRV Media. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Greenwich and later completed his NCTJ in Newspaper and Magazine Journalism while studying in Cornwall. He was previously Head of Sixth Form at a secondary school in Kent, where he worked with hundreds of 16 to 19-year-olds over eight years. He joined GRV Media in 2014, working his way up from football writer to a senior member of staff. After two years as Managing Editor of Rousing The Kop and The Boot Room he became Senior Managing Editor of new student website Freshered. Vincent is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and his second novel is also a USA Today bestseller and the winner of the Southern Schools Book Award.