The University of Essex is a widely respected institution on the eastern outskirts of 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 Humanities, Science and Health and Social Sciences faculties. Popular courses include Computer Science to Public Health, Business and Linguistics.
Essex enjoys partnerships with important European universities 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.
2024 501 100
2023 401
2022 401
2025 472 13
2024 459 6
2023 465
2024 301
2023 301
2022 301
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.
£13,512 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
£15,625 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
£2,247 Living costs
£3,890 To live on campus
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.
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.
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.
Each of the University of Essex’s three campuses can be considered a self-contained learning environment fully equipped with state-of-the-art 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. Students have access to a campus cinema, gym, studios, editing suites, libraries and green spaces for outdoor recreation.
The Colchester Campus is the university’s largest campus, known for its green spaces and landscaped grounds. 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 with a rich selection of eateries, study spaces, a large library and ready access to local shops and leisure facilities.
The Loughton Campus is a specialised location, specifically for students of the university’s East 15 Acting School, and facilities include theatres, studios and rehearsal spaces. Loughton Campus is on the doorstep of Epping Forest, which is ideal for outdoor activities and within a convenient distance of central London. Students can access London within 30 minutes on public transport.
University of Essex campuses offer students a variety of accommodation options and include space for quiet reflection, meditation and worship.
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 and workshops to introduce students to their new surroundings and give opportunities to socialise with their new peers.
Students enjoy access to all university facilities on their chosen campus. International students have plenty of resources and support and can even be collected from the airport and taken to their campus by a university coach.
Students are encouraged to develop many transferable skills at the University of Essex can increase their employability and long-term job prospects. The university’s Talent Development Centre runs a timetable of 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 visas.
The University of Essex Students’ Union is a student-run organisation which represents the voice of its membership and provides a packed calendar of events and activities to enhance the student experience and foster a strong university identity. The SU Advice office is the first point of contact for student issues such as mental health, exam concerns, accommodation problems or financial anxiety.
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 mentor and guide, able to contribute their perspectives and recent experiences.
Colchester, Essex, UK
