7 bed house - 4 Archibald Road Exeter
EPC C · 22min Streatham · 19min St Luke's
£196 pppw all-inclusive
Or £175 rent-only
All-inclusive option
Student Accommodation in St Luke's Campus
This page lists shared student houses and HMOs near St Luke's Campus (not halls or studios). St Luke's is the University of Exeter's specialist campus for medical and health sciences, located near Heavitree Road. Originally a teacher training college, St Luke's now hosts the Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, nursing programmes, and allied health courses. For students studying medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, or sport science, finding a student house near St Luke's means shorter commutes and easier access to clinical teaching facilities.
Best Student Areas for St Luke's Campus
Choosing where to live near St Luke's Campus depends on your priorities: proximity vs rent vs amenities. Here's how the nearby areas compare:
Mount Pleasant
Closest area to Medical School. Quiet residential streets. Popular with medical/nursing students. Reasonable rents.
Walk: 5 min | Cycle: 3 min
Heavitree
Best value near St Luke's. Excellent local shops on Fore Street. Larger properties, lower rents. Great for budget-conscious groups.
Walk: 12 min | Cycle: 5 min | Bus: 6 min
City Centre
Nightlife access + campus proximity. Higher rents but walkable to everything. Suits students who want city buzz.
Walk: 10 min | Cycle: 4 min | Bus: 5 min
Polsloe
Equidistant option. Similar distance to St Luke's and Streatham. Good if housemates split between campuses.
Walk: 18 min | Cycle: 7 min | Bus: 10 min
St James
Mixed-campus compromise. Suits groups with students at both campuses.
Walk: 15 min | Cycle: 6 min | Bus: 8 min
Commute Times to St Luke's Campus
Compare commute times from popular student areas. Times are realistic estimates for term-time conditions.
| Area | Walk | Bus | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 5-10 min | N/A (walk faster) | 2-4 min |
| Heavitree | 10-15 min | 5-8 min | 4-6 min |
| City Centre | 10-15 min | 4-7 min | 3-5 min |
| Polsloe | 18-25 min | 8-12 min | 5-9 min |
| St James | 15-20 min | 8-12 min | 5-8 min |
| Pennsylvania | 20-28 min | 12-18 min (D/H) | 8-12 min |
| St Davids | 18-25 min | 10-15 min | 7-10 min |
Which Courses Are Based at St Luke's?
St Luke's is the specialist campus for medicine, nursing, and health sciences. If your course involves clinical training, hospital placements, or health-related studies, living nearby means easier early starts and access to clinical skills facilities.
Faculties and Departments at This Campus
- Medical School (BMBS Medicine, Graduate Entry Medicine)
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Allied Health Professions (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy)
- Medical Imaging (Radiography)
- Sport and Health Sciences (some modules)
- Medical Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology)
- Public Health
- Postgraduate Medical Education
Shops, Food & Essentials
St Luke's Campus has dedicated facilities for health sciences students. The RILD (Research, Innovation, Learning and Development) building houses state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites where students practise medical procedures. The Smeall Building contains the Medical School library with health-specific resources, quiet study areas, and group study rooms. A small café operates during term time, though many students walk to Heavitree Road or the city centre for more variety.
Popular Roads in St Luke's Campus
St Luke's Campus features several popular student streets within easy walking distance of campus. Browse our full property listings to see available student houses, or explore other Exeter areas to compare options.
Budget and Bills in St Luke's Campus
Student houses near St Luke's are generally more affordable than Pennsylvania due to being outside the main student concentration area. Mount Pleasant typically costs £95-130 per person per week. Heavitree offers good value at £90-120 pppw. All-inclusive options are available and recommended for medical students whose clinical schedules make bill management a hassle.
Tip: All Gillams properties show all-inclusive pricing first (covering gas, electricity, water, broadband, and TV licence), then rent-only as an alternative. This helps your group compare like-for-like.
Medical Student Living: Early Starts & Clinical Demands
Medical and nursing students have unique housing needs. Early clinical placements often start at 7am or 8am, making a short commute essential for adequate sleep. Clinical days can be long and mentally demanding, so coming home to a quiet, comfortable space matters. Living near St Luke's also means easier access when you need to use clinical skills labs or the medical library outside teaching hours. Groups of medical students often house together, creating supportive study environments and understanding when exam stress hits. The areas around St Luke's – Mount Pleasant, Heavitree, and the Polsloe end of St James – offer this proximity without the higher rents of Streatham-adjacent areas.
Viewing Checklist for St Luke's Campus
When viewing student properties in St Luke's Campus, check these area-specific points:
- Time the walk to the Medical School building specifically
- Check the route to RD&E Hospital if you have placements there
- Ask about study space in bedrooms – medical students need good desk setups
- Test broadband speed for online lectures and resource access
- Check noise levels – you need proper rest between clinical days
- Confirm heating costs for winter – early starts are harder in cold houses
- Ask about parking if you need to drive to clinical placements
- Check proximity to Heavitree Road shops for quick groceries
Common Pitfalls in St Luke's Campus
Avoid these common mistakes when choosing St Luke's Campus student accommodation:
- Choosing a property far from St Luke's without factoring in early morning clinical starts
- Underestimating how tiring clinical placements are – a long commute adds to fatigue
- Living with non-medical students who don't understand early bedtimes and study demands
- Not checking routes to RD&E Hospital for placement transport
- Assuming Streatham-area properties work for St Luke's students – the commute adds up
- Ignoring the cost of buses if you live far from both campuses
FAQs About St Luke's Campus Student Accommodation
How far is Mount Pleasant from St Luke's Campus?
Mount Pleasant is the closest student area to St Luke's – most houses are 5–10 minutes walk. Heavitree is 8–15 minutes, City Centre 10–12 minutes. Walking times vary by exact location.
What courses are taught at St Luke's Campus Exeter?
St Luke's hosts the Medical School (BMBS medicine), nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, medical imaging, sport and health sciences, and other allied health programmes. Most healthcare-related courses are based here.
What is the best area for student houses near St Luke's Campus?
Mount Pleasant offers the closest student houses with reasonable rents. Heavitree provides excellent value house shares. City Centre suits groups wanting nightlife access while maintaining St Luke's proximity.
Are there bills included student houses near St Luke's Campus?
Yes, many student houses near St Luke's offer all-inclusive rent covering gas, electricity, water, broadband, and TV licence. This is particularly popular with medical students who have demanding schedules.
How much do student houses near St Luke's cost?
Expect £90-130 per person per week depending on area and house size. Mount Pleasant averages £95-130 pppw, Heavitree £90-120 pppw – generally more affordable than areas closest to Streatham.
Are St Luke's student houses suitable for postgraduates?
Yes, many postgrad students choose house shares near St Luke's. The quieter residential areas suit graduate-entry medicine students and those seeking focused study environments away from the main student districts.