University of Essex
Founded in 1964, the University of Essex has spent over 60 years encouraging boldness, bravery, and ensuring an Essex Education is accessible to all. You’ll feel the Essex Spirit across its campuses. The university is proud of its students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend university, which is why it is committed to supporting them, from cost-of-living support, including bursaries, to career guidance that lasts a lifetime.
You’ll join a student body made up of over 140 nationalities. There’s a reason the university is ranked 17th for international outlook (THE World University Rankings 2025). The University of Essex is ranked 23rd overall and 5th for ‘value-added’ in the Guardian University Guide 2025, but it’s not just teaching that’s recognised. 90.4% of the university’s research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent (Grade Point Average, REF 2021).
When you’re a member of the University of Essex, you will have the freedom to challenge, the confidence to speak out and the courage to share your ideas. It is a community with inclusivity at its core, and you’ll be taught by world-leading academics.
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Life at The University of Essex
Student Life at The University of Essex
University life is about more than just studying! While essays, exams, and labs are important, having a great time at Essex matters just as much. As a student, you automatically join the Students’ Union, giving you access to societies, clubs, and year-round events. If you can’t find a society that fits, you can start your own—Essex is yours to shape!The International Students’ Association (ISA) celebrates the diverse community with events like the International Christmas Party, Lunar New Year, Diwali, and more throughout the year. Every Thursday the Colchester Campus hosts a thriving market featuring local food vendors—perfect for lunch or weekend treats. The lakes, picnic tables, BBQs, and firepits provide a beautiful spot to relax with friends year-round on campus.
The Students’ Union also offers coffee shops, fast food, social spaces, and the Sub Zero nightclub is a longtime hub for club nights, live bands, and DJ sets. The Southend Campus, smaller but city-centre based, puts you close to bars, shops, theatres, and the coast. Its SU Lounge is great for meeting friends. For East 15 students, our Loughton Campus is positioned on the central line so London is yours to explore!
Careers at The University of Essex
Essex is committed to helping you prepare for life after graduation. The Careers Service supports you throughout your studies and beyond, helping you identify strengths, gain skills, and connect with employers. You can boost your CV with career-focused modules, mentoring workshops, part-time work, or a work placement. Many degrees offer placement options—year-long, term-based, or project-specific—to help you explore sectors and roles.Want to broaden your horizons? Study abroad at one of 150+ global partner universities, or learn a new language at no extra cost through the Languages for All programme. The university also offer a range of initiatives to enhance your experience. Become an Essex Intern, work for the Students’ Union, or use Chart My Path and sign up for The Big Essex Award to record your achievements. You can also get a head start with the online Python Preparation Programme.
At Essex, you’ll join a vibrant, supportive community with countless ways to grow, learn and prepare for your future.
City Life at The University of Essex
Going to university is a big commitment, and choosing where to study is just as important. Your campus and local area play a key role in this decision. At Essex, campuses in Colchester, Southend-on-Sea, and Loughton offer a great mix of study and lifestyle between London and the beautiful eastern coastline.
The Colchester Campus feels like a countryside retreat, just two miles from the historic city and an hour from London. With excellent transport links, including a nearby train station and Stansted Airport an hour away, exploring the UK and beyond is easy. Colchester, once Roman Britain’s first capital, offers museums, a zoo, vintage shops, country walks, live music, and ghost tours.
The Southend Campus is in the city centre, with shops, bars, cinemas, parks, and the beach right outside. Enjoy chips by the sea between lectures or vibrant city life day and night. Rail links and Southend Airport make travel simple. The Loughton Campus sits on the Central Line, giving direct access to London’s theatres, museums, galleries, and cultural hotspots. Wherever you study, there’s plenty to explore beyond the classroom.
Student Support at The University of Essex
The Student Services Hub is a one-stop-shop for practical advice or confidential guidance, on everything from accommodation to how to cope with homesickness. Your questions matter and you’ll get answers from its team of experts. Professionals provide support on issues concerning mental and emotional health, including assessment and referral for counselling or mentoring.
If you have a disability, medical condition or specific learning difficulty, specialist disability advisers are on hand to provide you with advice and guidance on a range of disability support services at all three of the university’s campuses.
There is a wide range of support offered to individuals and groups of student members including: Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students, care leaver students, commuting students, estranged students, international students, LGBT+ students, mature and part-time students, and students under 18.
Student Accommodation at The University of Essex
Choosing where to live is a big part of going to university, and at Essex, it’s made easy. With a range of options—from modern en suite rooms to retro Towers and Townhouses—there’s something to suit every style and budget. Use the Accommodation Finder to explore your options.
If you’ve made Essex your firm or insurance choice, you’re guaranteed accommodation for the duration of your course at either Colchester or Southend Campus. No house-hunting stress, no last-minute searches—just reliable, on-campus living from day one.
All accommodation includes energy bills, WiFi, 24/7 security, and access to a supportive student community. No matter what happens to supplier costs, you’re covered. The university understands that moving away from home can be challenging. That’s why you are offered more than just a room— you are offered peace of mind, connection, and a smooth transition to university life.
At Essex, you’ll enjoy:
- Guaranteed housing every year of study
- No surprise costs
- A welcoming and secure environment
- Year-round convenience, right on your doorstep
Facilities at The University of Essex
The Colchester Campus hosts most courses and students, blending brutalist and modern architecture across 200 acres of award-winning parkland with two lakes. You’ll find cafes and food outlets offering everything from classic fry-ups to burritos, plus a weekly Thursday market with street food and local produce.There are two student bars, including Sub Zero nightclub, and an underground theatre close to your accommodation. For studying, the Albert Sloman Library is open 24/7, and the Silberrad Student Centre offers private and group study spaces, IT labs, and student services. Department facilities include mock wards for Healthcare, translation booths for Language students, a trading floor for Business, and a Life Sciences wet lab.
If you’re in Health and Social Care, East 15 Acting School, or Essex Business School, you may study at the Southend Campus. Located in Southend-on-Sea’s city centre, it offers vibrant nightlife, restaurants, big stores, and boutiques—all near your accommodation, the Students’ Union Lounge, and teaching spaces.
Sports & Clubs at The University of Essex
Fancy competing at the next Olympics? Looking for a new challenge? Or maybe you just like looking after yourself? Whatever your sporting level or interest, the university’s facilities have something for you. No matter your skill level or experience, the Essex community are committed to making sport at Essex for everyone.
The on-campus gym in Colchester is its most popular sporting facility, with 160 workout stations and more than 100 fitness classes per week. Take advantage of the Essex Sport student membership packages.
The Students’ Union is home to the Essex Blades – over 40 sports clubs that compete locally and nationally. Be warned, you’re highly likely to develop a strong allegiance to the Blades, especially around Derby Day! Sports covering a wide range from American football to volleyball, and from archery to mixed martial arts are offered.
If sport is more than a hobby to you, welcome home. The university strives to provide innovative, athlete-centred programmes in its focus sports and teams: volleyball, basketball, tennis, and football. Sports scholarships are also offered to ultra-talented athletes.
Sustainability at The University of Essex
The university is committed to protecting the environment and tackling the climate and biodiversity crises. At Essex, sustainability is central to everything it does, and it wants students, staff, and the local community to be part of the solution.For three years in a row, Essex has ranked in the top 200 universities globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, reflecting its dedication to social responsibility and sustainable development. Its also ranked 49th in the 2024/25 People and Planet University League. The goal of the university is to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035. Since 2005, its already cut emissions by 28%. Sustainability is key to Essex’s future planning and an important part of the student learning experience.
The university takes ethical investment seriously and doesn’t invest in fossil fuel or arms companies, or in corporations that violate international law. Essex has also committed £14 million to carbon reduction and energy efficiency projects through to 2030.
Rankings
Ranked 23rd in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2025)
Ranked 25th in the UK for student experience (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Scholarships
Additional Scholarship Options
The University of Essex has a range of scholarships available for international undergraduate students. This includes scholarships and bursaries, country-specific funding opportunities as well as other funding opportunities. Click here to search for available scholarships and find out more information.