University History
Stratham Estate that was owned by a wealthy former East India Company merchant family used their family fortunes to start a chain of educational institutions in Devon and neighbouring Cornwall. It was more than a hundred years ago that schools and colleges were developed. The University of Exeter has a history that is more than a century old. Pennsylvania where Exeter University is partially located was known for its courteous behaviour and exclusiveness where children were required to raise their hats at older residents as a mark of respect.
The University of Exeter was initially a conglomeration of a number of schools and colleges in both Devon and Cornwall districts. It was in 1868 that the local School of Art and Science was functioning in the Albert memorial Museum, and later in 1898 with the support of Cambridge University it turned into the Exeter technical and University Extension College. It changed its name to the Royal Albert memorial College in 1900. In 1922, it transformed into the University College of the South West of England and it was only in 1955 that it became the University of Exeter. Over a long period of fifty years, the Exeter University grew rapidly to acquire lands and buildings with grants to become what it is today.
The Exeter University owes its gratitude to the many philanthropists and educators who resided in the areas of Cornwall and Devon who had great visions of nurturing a school of highest learning and excellence. Today with along history spanning to more than a century, Exeter University has come a long way in education.