University of Essex

The University of Essex is a widely respected institution with campuses in the East of England that provide easy access to London, offering students a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses and a rich university experience.

The university delivers its courses over three welcoming campuses in Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Loughton, where students have access to quality academic resources and a high standard of teaching. Essex's teaching faculty help students to take on life's challenges, encouraging individual development, peer-assisted learning, critical thinking, and independent living.

The university warmly welcomes international students, organising a lively calendar of events starting in the first week of term. The university fosters a diverse and inclusive community where students can make lifelong friends and create memorable experiences. The University of Essex also offers international students various scholarships, as well as support and workshops on employability skills to help them successfully apply for work during and after their studies.

Students progress through their courses by attending lectures, seminars, and group learning sessions. They also have access to many facilities across the Arts and Humanities, Science and Health, and Social Sciences faculties. Popular subject areas include computer science, business and management, economics, law and health.

Essex enjoys partnerships with universities across the globe crossing disciplines that enrich its research and learning.

Students benefit from the facilities on offer across its three campuses — such as its industry-standard studios, editing suites, gym, on-campus cinema, communal study areas, student union social spaces, and much more.

The University of Essex's teaching staff delivers a top-tier tuition and learning experience to their students, who receive continuous support and access to academic services throughout their studies.

Lecturers are highly qualified and extensively experienced. They are expert communicators and can connect with students from different backgrounds. Many lecturers are engaged in global research, allowing students to gain valuable professional insights into their field of interest at university.

Essex undergoes frequent quality assessments and external monitoring from independent regulators. Internally, all courses and modules are reviewed annually, with options for updates to ensure they remain current and relevant to industry demands. Additionally, students have opportunities to integrate work with their studies, including placements that enhance their learning experience.

Students receive continuous support and feedback from teaching staff for the duration of their degree. Online coursework submission allows for prompt review of all written work, while lectures are recorded for easy playback.

The University of Essex offers many undergraduate and postgraduate courses in different subject areas and study modes. As such, applicants must meet the specific entry requirements for their chosen course and level of study. These entry requirements vary on a country-to-country basis, however all students must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in English in addition to meeting their academic criteria.

Prospective students can find country-specific admission requirements on the University of Essex website. For more detailed information, students should refer to their specific course pages, where they will find additional details, including any key dates and deadlines for applying.

The University of Essex International College, located on the Colchester Campus, provides undergraduate and postgraduate pathway programmes through a partnership between the University of Essex and Kaplan International Pathways. These pathways are suitable for students who do not meet the standard entry requirements for their chosen course, and provide a great introduction to student life at Essex while preparing students for their degree studies.

Courses at the University of Essex typically range in cost depending on subject area and department for international students. Fees may increase for each year of academic study in line with national cost of living.

The university offers a comprehensive programme of scholarships, bursaries, and financial grants to help students complete their education. There is merit-based funding available in addition to department-specific scholarships, and some awards are specifically offered only to EU or International students.

The university's Scholarship Finder is a useful tool for students to access the required information about the types of funding available, and their eligibility for various awards. Students may also have access to bursaries with different eligibility and acceptance criteria.

Accommodation usually costs between GBP 4,000 and GBP 9,000 per year, and students must be able to cover their accommodation and living costs in addition to their tuition fees. Visa-dependent students must demonstrate that they have the funds for their tuition and maintenance, including accommodation, in line with national immigration regulations.

Each of the University of Essex's three campuses can be considered a self-contained learning environment fully equipped with great teaching and leisure facilities to ensure all students have the resources to excel academically and develop themselves personally. Campuses feature modern lecture halls, seminar spaces and spacious communal study areas.

The Colchester Campus is the university's largest campus, known for its green spaces and landscaped grounds. It is home to specialist facilities for teaching and research, such as the Essex Business School's zero-carbon building, which features an indoor winter garden and bespoke trading floor with Bloomberg terminals. There is also a wide range of dedicated labs for science and health students, the large Albert Sloman Library for many self-study and research needs, private and groups study spaces, as well as lecture halls and seminar rooms. The Colchester Campus also boasts extensive sports facilities at its Sport Arena and Sports Centre. It is also home to other amenities such as a nightclub, theatre, cinema, gym, restaurants, bars, and shops.

Students at the Southend Campus benefit from a seaside location in the city centre with a rich selection of eateries, study and social spaces, a large library and lecture auditorium, and ready access to local shops and leisure facilities.

The Loughton Campus is a specialised location for students of the university's East 15 Acting School, and facilities include theatres, studios, and rehearsal spaces. Loughton Campus is close to Epping Forest, which is ideal for outdoor activities and within a convenient distance of central London. Students can access central London within 30 minutes on public transport.

University of Essex's Colchester and Southend campuses offer students a variety of on-campus accommodation options, as well as spaces for quiet reflection, meditation and worship in the Multi-Faith Chaplaincies.

The University of Essex provides excellent support services to students from the moment they arrive on campus. The university curates an introductory welcome week of activities at the start of the academic year and workshops to introduce students to their new surroundings and give opportunities to socialise with their new peers. There are also pre-departure events and webinars to prepare students for moving to the UK.

Students enjoy access to all university facilities on campus. International students have access to many resources and support.

Students are encouraged to develop many transferable skills at the University of Essex can increase their employability and long-term job prospects. The university runs workshops to help students develop their career goals, write a CV, prepare for interviews, and apply for internships and graduate positions. Students can also access ongoing career advice, including support applying for part-time work during their studies, work permits, and student visas.

The University of Essex Students' Union is a student-run organisation which represents the voice of the students and provides a packed calendar of events and activities to enhance the student experience and foster a strong university identity. The SU Advice service is the first point of contact for students who have concerns about mental health, exams and assessment, accommodation, and finances.

All students at the University of Essex are assigned a Personal Tutor for academic support. Additionally, many students also choose to be assigned an existing or previous student to act as a peer mentor and guide, able to contribute their perspectives and recent experiences.

Essex is a thriving university continually investing to enhance its resources and infrastructure, with many redevelopments and new facilities added each year.

Its purpose-built on-campus accommodation is affordable, safe, close to campus facilities, and guaranteed for all international students who have accepted an offer (terms and conditions apply). At the Colchester Campus there is a wide variety of accommodation types suitable for all budgets and requirements. The Pastures student accommodation which opened in 2023 is the newest addition to campus.

The new Causeway Teaching Centre on the Colchester Campus includes 15 modern teaching and learning spaces and a flexible seminar space.

At the Southend Campus, there are new Nursing Labs with Therapy Teaching spaces, a Community Living area, a Nursing Skills lab, and seven consultation rooms to be used for studies