We're The Falmouth & Exeter Students' Union, and we exist for one reason: you.
Whether you're navigating your first week on campus, leading a society, juggling part-time work with your studies, or making your voice heard on the issues that matter, we’re here to support, represent, and champion every student at Falmouth University and the University of Exeter's Cornwall campuses.
Where We've Been
2022 was a turning point for The SU. Emerging from the disruption of the pandemic, we took time to listen, reflect, and rebuild.
Since then, we've focused on expanding our regular presence across Falmouth and Truro campuses, introduced a new assembly model for union decision-making, and started talking about our impact.
We've strengthened our partnerships with both universities, deepened our connection with the Cornwall community, and built a talented team committed to making a difference.
But here's what we know: things don't stand still.
The students we serve today have different needs than those we supported in 2022. The world around us keeps changing. And that means we need to keep changing too.
Why This Strategy Now
Students in 2025 are facing unprecedented pressures.
- The cost of living crisis means more are working part-time just to get by.
- Housing in Cornwall is increasingly unaffordable.
- Mental health challenges are rising.
- The graduate job market, especially in creative industries, feels uncertain.
- And on top of all that, students are trying to make the most of their university experience, build community, and prepare for their (uncertain) future.
In our strategy survey, 68% of respondents said that they felt concerned about being able to pay for the things they need.
42% of respondents said they were neither satisfied or dissatisfied with the students’ union.
32% of respondents thought that the students’ union isn’t making them more employable.
80% of students felt that the students’ union is welcome and inclusive to all types of students.
As the only Higher Education Students' Union in Cornwall, serving students across two universities, we have a unique responsibility.
We need to meet students where they are, whether that's at Penryn, Falmouth, Truro, or studying at a distance.
We need to understand the specific challenges creative students face.
And we need to be agile enough to respond when new issues emerge.
That's why we've developed this strategy for 2025-2030. Not because we have all the answers, but because we're committed to listening, adapting, and always putting students first.