This is a list of University of Exeter people, including office holders, current and former academics, and alumni of the University of Exeter.

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In post-nominals, the University of Exeter is abbreviated as Exon. (from the Latin Exoniensis), and is the suffix given to honorary and academic degrees from the university.

• Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, GCVO, CBE (1955–1972)
• Derick Heathcoat-Amory, 1st Viscount Amory of Tiverton, KG, PC, GCMG, TD, DL (1972–1981)
• Sir Rex Richards, FRS, FRSC (1982–1998)
• Robert Alexander, Baron Alexander of Weedon, QC, FRSA (1998–2005)
• Floella Benjamin, Baroness Benjamin, OBE (2006–2016)
• Paul Myners, Baron Myners, CBE (2016–2021)
• Sir Michael Barber, (2022-)

Principals of the University College of the South West of England

• Hector Hetherington (1920-1924)
• Walter Hamilton Moberly (1925–1926)
• John Murray (1926–1951)
• Sir Thomas Taylor (1952–1953)
• Sir James Cook (1954–1955); final Principal, first Vice-Chancellor

Vice-Chancellors of the University of Exeter

• Sir James Cook (1955–1966); former Principal, first Vice-Chancellor,
• Sir John Llewellyn (1966–1972)
• Harry Kay (1973–1984)
• Sir David Harrison (1984–1994)
• Sir Geoffrey Holland (1994–2002)
• Sir Steve Smith (2002–2020)
• Professor Lisa Roberts (2020-)

• Richard Acland, Education
• John Adair, Management (Leadership)
• Omar Ashour, Middle East Studies
• Manuel Barange, Biosciences
• Barry Barnes, Sociology
• Jeremy Black, History
• Barbara Borg, Classical Archaeology
• Adam Curle, Psychology and Education
• Uri Davis, Middle East Studies
• John Dupré, Philosophy
• John Endler, Animal Behaviour
• Edzard Ernst, Complementary Medicine
• Timothy Gorringe, Theology
• Alex Haslam, Psychology
• Philip Hensher, Creative Writing
• Ghada Karmi, Middle East Studies
• Paul Kline, Psychology
• William Lewis, Chemistry
• Alastair Logan, Theology
• Linda Long, Biochemistry
• Richard Lynn, Psychology
• Colin MacCabe, Film Studies
• Moelwyn Merchant, English
• Gerd Nonneman, Middle East Studies
• Richard Overy, History
• Ilan Pappe, Middle East Studies
• Philip Payton, Cornish Studies
• David Rees, Pure Mathematics
• Nicholas Rodger, History
• Roy Sambles, Physics
• Richard Seaford, Classics
• Dikran Tahta, Mathematics educator
• Nick Talbot, FRS, Molecular genetics
• Andrew Thorpe, History
• Malcolm Todd, History
• Sir John Tooke, Medicine
• Garry Tregidga, History
• Paul Webley, Psychology
• Canon Vernon White, Theology (Lecturer and Lazenby Chaplain)
• Michael Winter, Politics
• Ted Wragg, Education