The emblem (coat of arms) of Exeter University embodies the relationship between university and history. The golden castle with three towers on the red background represents Exeter Castle, also known as Rugmont Castle. 14 The golden round emblem (Byzantine gold coin) embedded around the coat of arms comes from the coat of arms of the Principality of Cornwall, one of the two British crown territories, and represents Cornwall. The green cross on a white background comes from the coat of arms of Plymouth City.

The book with a golden border symbolizes the theme of learning. The text on it is the Latin school motto "Lucem sequimur", which means "We follow the light" in Chinese.