Ratings and Reviews
Attending the University of Essex has been an incredible experience for me. The campus is vibrant and welcoming, with plenty of facilities and everything you need close by. The student union is fantastic, offering a range of fun activities and support, making student life really enjoyable. The location is great, with the campus being safe and just 1 hour and 30 minutes from London, which is perfect for international students. The faculty is excellent, and the courses are well-structured and comprehensive, though a bit more contact time and support would be helpful. The student life here is lively, with lots of opportunities to join sports, societies, and events, which helps create a strong sense of community. While there's room for improvement in student support services, the career prospects after graduation look promising. Overall, I highly recommend the University of Essex for a rich and fulfilling student experience.
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University of Essex Hall Rankings
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Ratings and Reviews
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Very good university, great lecturers, shame they have a fast food joint that serves horrendous food. Also, the SU thinks too highly of itself.
best campus experience, great students union
Such a friendly University, doing it's best to be involved in students lives, giving them jobs, advice and the opportunity to have a voice.
Best student union in the world. Focused on giving a good education whilst having a happy work life balance. Free fruit and water when your studying and night ninjas when your partying!
Lovely mix of people from all over the world, which makes this uni unique! Alot of opptions and great staff.
The university's really good for nights out however the library and study spaces are limited particularly during exam periods.
The campus has plenty of shops so if you don't fancy that long walk to tesco you can get the basics in the campus shop. There's restaurants, a bar, a gym and great sports facilities.
the best place in the world, you will have the best years of your life here.
I picked Essex as my firm choice, not only because of the amazing program they offer with a year abroad opportunity, but also because of the energy on campus and amazing people I get to meet!
My very 1st year was made the best. The SU tries to help us international students in every possible way. Love you essex!
Campus is good but a bit confusing, also everything on campus is very overpriced
Going to the University of Essex was the best decision I ever made. It has everything I need to make my uni experience perfect, the nights out in Sub Z are hilarious, the lectures are always fun and exiting and I've met the most brilliant people. It is so diverse and fun, there's always something to do or someone to meet. It's so friendly as well, especially the sports centre and the clubs! Thank you Essex!
I have loved every moment at Essex so far in the two years I've been going here. Subbyz is the place to go especialy for fednesday which is one of the best nights out so get your fancy dress out!! Everything you need is on campus so you really don't need to leave but if you do Colchester is a lovely town to venture into. If you love army lads liquid is for you. Do go on some bar crawls and don't miss dirty pengiun, silk road, missoulas and the three wise monkeys. Where hoysing is concerned if you are a bit of a clean freak I wouldn't advise towers, houses or south courts may be more suited for you. But if you want cheap accomodation and want to live a party lifestyle do pick towers!! I did and I loved every second in them, theres always a party going on in these party towers!!
Accommodation was done really badly. Ruined my whole time here.
I absolutely love it here! the people are open minded and passionate. The lecturers and teachers are incredible! And I have the opportunities to do so many things. Would reccomend to everyone!
I love the university. There's always so much to do and the people are so friendly
Essex student union does everything it can for the enjoyment of their students. Offering various club nights to fit the needs of different music genres.
Such an amazing uni! Always have so much fun with the union. And lectures and my department are great too!
I don't know anyone who's unhappy with their lecturers, there are a few ones who are not great but that's it. Societies are incredibly varied and we get new ones every term. WiFi is available across campus and for people living in accommodation. A gym is also on site. The selection of places to eat is somewhat limited but quality has improved. On campus club, The Students' Union is at times problematic, both dealing with them as representatives of clubs and societies, and as a student. It does happen often that people are unreasonably kicked out of student forums, and issues with their transpaeency are also customary. Overall a great university though.
Really student oriented, looks to help students not only for their time at university but beyond into their careers and future.
Teaching staff is helpful. Beautiful campus.
I loved my time at Essex. Friendly, beautiful campus with lakes/parkland, loads going on, and good academics that try and make the teaching relevant and applicable.
Good uni, not as bad as people think it is.
The University itself is a nice enough place to be with everything you need for your academic related studies or free time in close proximity. Essex does however need a bit of a quick up the backside if it wants to get anywhere fast though, as it fails to really push the boundaries on any particular front. Some of the students it lets in are an embarrassment to the establishment with it being high time it starts thinking about increasing the difficulty of entry and departments are sporadic in terms of their organisation - this however, not being the fault of the individual departments, but more the workings of those in higher echelons having the wrong ideas for the marionette strings. In terms of the SU, it is one of the worst. It's unnecessarily expensive for students, its "Student centred" stance is more a running joke than a mandate for operation, there is corruption aplenty within the elected officers and some of the full time staff are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Best years of my life, amazing people, so diverse, make friends from all over the world.
Great community, really friendly people and always someone there for you if you need it. Societies are a really good way of meeting people and everyone seems really nice.
Had the best first year at Essex, loved my course, everyone is friendly, food pretty decent plenty of places to eat, i.e. SU, Fusion, Frangos. Joining a sports club was my best decision during freshers
Great experience here! I've been supported every step of my degree and it'll really had paid dividends.
So different from what I expected!I am having the best time here and such a great mix of people. ps if you are applying to attend Essex, living in towers for your first year is a must!
People in Essex are very nice and professors are knowledgeable.
Best university in the uk for all the facilities for students
Essex university is a great place to study and there is no need to leave the campus as there is everything on site that you need
Have been here 5 years, done a BSC and am now doing a PhD, it is an awesome place to be if you want to get involved with societies and clubs. if you do not want to be in a city and want to be in a campus where everyone around is students or staff then Essex is for you. If you just want somewhere to get drunk and get a poor degree please go somewhere else :)
Univeristy of Essex is an all round great university. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, as are the students. Great opportunities to improve yourself and make the most of your university experience.
This is a great university with great people, glad I came to this university
Wonderful student union which really does care for students. Diverse population from all over the globe. Friendly atmosphere and crazy nights.
I have just finished my first year at Essex University and it was truely the best year of my life. The campus has such a lovely vibe due to its feel of a homey village with everything you could need! (Including bars and clubs!) The SU are very student centered and work to ensure every single student is happy and that the Uni has everything that the students need and want. The lecturers are lovely and extremely helpful. I lived in the towers and it was the best decision I ever made- made friends for life and had the most fun and exciting year!
There's quite a bit to do on and off campus. Facilities are modern and good too. Wifi is easily attainable all over campus, even by the lakes so absolutely no problems.
Essex is a fantastic institution providing every student with every facility necessary in order to aid their studies and to entertain themselves. Essex is a friendly campus and fights for/encourages the rights of every single student in many forms such as race, gender or disabilities.
Pioneering, change-making and forward-thinking. The University of Essex is at the forefront of research and support of the underdog. There is an extensive selection of sports clubs and societies, and the Students Union provides many supportive services to all students, while providing exceptional and fun events. There is a real community feeling, with a global outlook. The University of Essex isn't a place, its a people. I am Essex.
The best decision I could have made, joining the University of Essex has not only given me some of the best education I've ever experienced, but the social aspect and 'family' feeling you get from it is second to none. With a fantastic range of activities, sports and clubs and a very hands on Students Union, its a really fantastic University to go to, one which has given me so many amazing memories!
Yeah, pretty cool. Couldn't complain.
Great modern facilities, large campus with shops, friendly people and a diverse society.
great place to be, you will meet amazing new people and lecturers that will change your view !
Very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Originally Essex was my last choice, but after visiting my other offers universities, it was that Essex made the most sense, not just for personal reasons but because they offer so much more. There are scholarships, research placements and prizes etc. available for high academic achievement and they have funded Phd and MA programmes. There are tons of resources available and the staff are enthusiastic and helpful. The 'employability' department do a great deal to help students better their career opportunities, and even though some (ignorant) employers may not count Essex as a particularly good university, with the right work experience and a bit of the other stuff the uni offers, they should be impressed. If you're willing to put the work in, you will definitely be rewarded at Essex. If you just want to have fun, well they're pretty good at that stuff too.
Brilliant time, would do it all over again if I could.
I have been at Essex for two years and it has seemed to improve rapidly, based on our suggestions. For example, Sub Zero (our nightclub) and a host of new buildings have better signal and wifi, meaning that you are always connected to the Internet. On another note, the Students Union give out heirlooms to current Essex students, which keeps our community close and family-like. If you fear making new friends, there are tonnes of new sports clubs and societies that are ratified and accepted by students each year, therefore you will always have people to share common interests with. They genuinely listen to suggestions! Essex is a small campus, but that has its benefits - you are never too far from your lecture or seminar room. You will learn to memorise rooms (the room codes and their locations). Plus, Essex seems to have a limitless budget and are constantly improving their facilities and technology, such as replacing most posters/banners on the squares with large LCD screens...
Brilliantly balanced university with great societies and sporting facilities. Essex has a close community feel and the experience has been unforgettable. My study abroad experience has made my time at essex and I'd recommend any student to consider essex as their university.
The best decision I've made was to go to Essex.
My favourite place in the world. Amazingly social lay out.
If you don't get too involved with the politics of everything, it's actually pretty good...
Having finished my second year, i'm already sad at the prospect of leaving Essex university next year. Unlike a lot of other universities I have visited, Essex has a great community feel with something always going on. Despite the fact that Colchester town is not that great for going out, campus has a pretty good club which will satisfy your clubbing needs! In terms of education, there are so many fantastic lecturers who encourage and help you. As someone who received okay grades at university i'm on track for a first and really enjoy my course in literature. Overall, i have personally had a great few years at Essex.
Uni academic life is ok, as an average between departments, social life is outstanding, there are always at least 5 things to do. Wi-fi can sometimes be worse than dial-up. Career opportunities is meh because employers tend to overlook Essex.
Great first year, can't wait to start second.
Perfect experience, so accepting of every student. SU are amazing and the sports and societies are fantastic.
had an amazing two and a bit years here, the atmosphere is unbelievably friendly and chilled. Especially good for humanities based subjects
Studentcom (the accommodation internet provider) is terrible, cutting out at least 2 or 3 times a day but once you get past that the speed is ok. The campus is gorgeous along with their being a wide range of facilites like a ton of different places to eat, the SU bar and Top Bar (quite a fancy bar) and also our very own club on campus (Sub-Zero). The Student Union do listen to us and our opinions using social media (Facebook) very well to get our opinions, changing what we don't like. 4/5 I'd say
Essex is amazing!
University of Essex has one of the most welcoming environments that instantly feels like home. Choosing Essex is not a choice I could regret and I just wish I could come back and do my first year over and over again!
Cons?
People think you will come home with a fake tan and an essex accent. (blame towie)