University of Essex

About 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 many rankings, featuring in the top 25 in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and top 30 in the Complete University Guide 2026.

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 universities across the globe 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 in Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Loughton — such as a Bloomberg Finance terminal, modern laboratories, 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 135,000 graduates from over 150 countries. Being a part of this community entitles students to several benefits including discounts, memberships, career support, networking events and much more.

Graduate outcomes

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 whilst they are students. 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. University of Essex graduates enjoy varied and impressive future paths, joining the likes of Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, actors Blake Harrison and Alison Steadman, and notable professionals like internally acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind.

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.

What's new

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