Overview

Students at the University of Essex, studying at one of the university's three welcoming campuses in Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Loughton, are well placed to acquire a wide range of skills to help them take on life's academic challenges. The university fosters its students to develop as individuals, to learn from their peers, as well as think for themselves, and live more independently.

　　International students are warmly welcomed with an active calendar of events that starts in the very first week of term. Throughout the years that follow, students are encouraged to reach their potential with study support, careers advice and high-quality facilities and teaching.

　　Thanks to the university's location on the eastern outskirts of London, students are well placed for visits to the city in their free time. Meanwhile, each campus has everything that's needed for study and leisure. There is a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses on offer, from Computer Science to Nursing, Criminology and Marine Biology.

　　Students progress through their courses by attending lectures, seminars, and group learning sessions. They also have access to a wealth of facilities across the Humanities, Science and Health and Social Sciences faculties.

　　

What's new

Essex is a thriving university with many redevelopments and new facilities being added. The Towers, one of the main accommodation options for students, are situated at the heart of the Colchester campus where they've stood since the early 1960s and are currently being refurbished to keep them up to date for the next generation of students.

　　The Causeway Teaching Centre at Colchester's campus has opened, with 15 new teaching rooms and a flexible seminar space that can hold up to 80 people.

　　At the Southend campus, plans are underway to open a new Nursing Lab with Therapy Teaching spaces, as well as a Community Living area, a Nursing Skills lab and seven consultation rooms to be used for studies. This will create a learning space for over 100 extra students. At the same time, the Oral Health department is being expanded with refurbished rooms and expanded facilities.

　　

Teaching quality

Staff at the University of Essex provide the highest standards of tuition and teaching for their students. Many lecturers are also involved in research on a global scale, whilst providing high-quality courses within the university's framework. The institution is frequently assessed for quality by external monitoring teams, including independent regulators.

　　Throughout a course, the teaching staff provide ongoing support and feedback. Online coursework submission ensures easy access to timely reviews of all written work, whilst lectures are captured and recorded digitally so that they can be played back.

　　All courses and modules are reviewed yearly, with the option for annual updates. This ensures that each course is relevant and up-to-date so that students are learning the latest information and courses will not become outdated. Students also have the opportunity to work alongside their studies, including learning through a placement if they would benefit from it.

　　

Entry requirement

University of Essex applicants must meet the entry requirements relevant to their course and level of study. Entry requirements vary from country to country, though students are expected to have English language competence in addition to their academic grades.

　　Potential students can access country-specific entry requirement information, which offers a general overview of academic expectations at the University of Essex. For more detail, students should look at the information provided for their chosen course of study.

　　Students that do not meet the standard entry requirements for study may access Essex Pathways. Pathway routes to study provide essential learning and studying skills with subject-specific teaching and education. Students successful in one of these courses will have a guaranteed place on their chosen degree course after their Foundation Year. The Foundation Year comprises a full academic year that will be completed before three years of undergraduate study. All applicants for the Essex Pathway will benefit from relaxed entry requirements and will be considered on other merits in addition to their academic grades so that they can reach their potential at a more suitable pace.

　　

Scholarship & funding

Courses at the University of Essex typically range in cost from between £16,000 and £20,000 for international students. Fees may increase for each year of academic study, following a financial review.

　　Scholarships are available. The university offers a Scholarship Finder so that students can access the required information about the types of funding available. Scholarships may be specific to departments or faculties of study, with some scholarships specifically offered to EU or International students. Students may also have access to bursaries with different eligibility and acceptance criteria.

　　In addition to annual course costs, students must be able to cover their own accommodation costs. Accommodation typically costs between £4,000 and £9,000 per year. Students applying for a student visa may need to be able to demonstrate that they have the funds for their tuition and accommodation, according to immigration rules.

　　

Facilities

During their time at the University of Essex, students have access to state-of-the-art teaching and leisure facilities. Each campus is equipped with lecture halls, seminar spaces and communal study areas. Students can make use of the campus cinema, the gym, studios, editing suites, libraries and green spaces.

　　The Colchester Campus is the largest campus at the University of Essex. This campus is known for its landscaped green spaces but is also equipped with its own nightclub, theatre, cinema, gym, restaurants, bars, shops and a hairdressing salon.

　　The Southend Campus offers a seaside location with eateries, varied study spaces, a large library and easy access to local shops and leisure facilities. The Loughton Campus, specifically for students of the East 15 Acting School, is close to Epping Forest and ideal for outdoor pursuits. Students can also enjoy access to London on public transport within 30 minutes. Facilities for students at the Loughton Campus include theatres, studios and rehearsal spaces.

　　University of Essex campuses include space for quiet reflection, meditation and worship. Students also have access to varied accommodation options.

　　

Student support

From the moment a new student arrives at the University of Essex, they will have access to all university facilities on their chosen campus. Students are invited to join welcome week activities, with an extensive program of events to help them settle into student life. International students can also be collected from the airport and taken to their campus, aboard a university coach.

　　Throughout their time at the University of Essex, students are supported to develop skills that can increase their employability. At the Talent Development Centre, students can attend workshops to help them with applying for work and meeting their future career goals. Students can also access ongoing careers advice, including support applying for work permits and visas.

　　The Students' Union provides a packed calendar of events and activities for a complete student experience. Support is also available for mental health issues, exam concerns, accommodation problems or money worries via the SU Advice office.

　　All students at the University of Essex have their own Personal Tutor. For academic support, a tutor should be a student's first port of call. Many students also choose to be assigned a mentor, who is an existing or previous student with their own perspective and experience.