University of Essex

Established in 1964, the University of Essex is a premier university renowned for its pioneering and relevant research and emphasis on encouraging students to challenge convention. The university features near the top of most world rankings, ranking in the top 30 by the Guardian Universities Guide 2024 and 58 in the Times Higher Education Global Impact Rankings 2024.

The university offers a range of degree programmes across its departments and schools that fall under the purview of three faculties – Arts and Humanities, Science and Health, and Social Sciences. The faculties oversee teaching, research and academic development in the departments and schools while forging enduring partnerships with business and industry. Essex also has fruitful partnerships with top European universities across disciplines that enhance its learning and research.

International students will benefit immensely from the facilities on offer at the University of Essex across its three campuses — such as editing suites, industry-standard studios, an on-campus cinema, a gym, communal study areas, student union social spaces, and much more. Student support and services are available, including academic support and guidance, workshops on enhancing employability skills and counselling for students' health and well-being. There are also various scholarships for international students to ease their financial burden.

Graduates from the University of Essex will join an alumni community of over 125,000 graduates in 150 countries. Being a part of this community entitles students to several benefits including discounts, memberships, career support, networking events 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.

Essex Pathways is an option for students who do not meet the standard entry requirements for their course. These pathway routes are a good way for students to gain transferable study skills alongside subject-specific education that prepares them fully for undergraduate tuition.

The Foundation Year is a full academic year followed by three years of undergraduate study. Successful completion of a pathway course guarantees a place in a student's chosen degree program. Essex Pathway applicants benefit from more flexible entry requirements and are evaluated on additional merits beyond just their academic grades.

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 following a financial review.

The university offers a comprehensive programme of scholarships, bursaries, and financial grants to help students complete their education. There is merit-based and means-tested funding available and department-specific scholarships, and some awards are specifically offered 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 costs in addition to their tuition fees. Visa-dependent students must demonstrate that they have the funds for their tuition and accommodation, per national immigration regulations.

For students leaving the University of Essex with a degree qualification, there are many opportunities for continued study and paid employment. Students are encouraged to develop a wide range of employability skills. These transferable skills gained through study and leisure are considered at least as important as subject-specific knowledge – if not more important – and are fostered throughout a student's time at the University of Essex.

Every year, one past student receives the Alumnus of the Year award. Reviewing past winners provides a fascinating insight into varied and impressive future paths of University of Essex graduates.

Students at the University of Essex benefit from the extensive knowledge and experience of tutors, many of whom have had interesting and exciting careers. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the access to professional experience on offer, to ask questions, and to make full use of the tuition provided during their studies.

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 applying by the set deadlines. The latest accommodation block, called The Pastures, opened in 2023.

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

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. At the same time, the Oral Health department is being expanded with refurbished rooms and expanded facilities.

At the University of Essex, there are three different faculties. Students may learn within one faculty, or in some cases, across multiple. The university's faculties are:

Faculty of Humanities

Departments within the Faculty of Humanities include the East 15 Acting School, the Department of History, the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies, the Essex Law School, and the School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Faculty of Science and Health

The Faculty of Science and Health includes the Department of Psychology, the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, the School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Actuarial Science, the School of Life Sciences, the School of Health and Social Care and the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.

Faculty of Social Sciences

Within the Faculty of Social Sciences, students will find the Department of Government, the Department of Economics, the Essex Business School, the Department of Sociology, the Department of Language and Linguistics and the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies.