The University of Essex

The main campus is located in leafy parkland just twenty minutes from the centre of Colchester, and is a combination of new build and classic 1960s design. It is here that the bulk of students live and complete their degrees, with the exception of those studying performing arts subjects, which are based out of the East 15 School in Loughton, just outside of London. There are four courses based on the Southend campus, which is just five minutes outside Southend-on-Sea.  

Background and History

One of the 1960s wave of new, redbrick universities, the University of Essex was founded in 1964, receiving its Royal Charter the year after. Its early curriculum had a strong focus on sociology and politics, which are now the source of some its highest rated teaching and most valued research areas. The University was listed in the top ten in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.

Location and Accessibility

The East 15 Acting School is located on the outskirts of London and is reachable via the Central Line, with only a short walk between Epping Station and the School. It can be reached via road by the M25. The Southend campus can be reached via direct rail from London in just under an hour, and can also be accessed via the M25 and Stansted Airport, while trains between London and Colchester take just over an hour and leave every twenty minutes or so. The campus can be reached via the A11 and is just fifteen minutes from the station via taxi. The majority of the major teaching facilities are accessible via wheelchair and the Disability Service can provide further assistance.

What's on Offer

BA, BSc, MA, MSci, MMus, MBA, University Diploma, Higher Education Certificate, Higher Education Diploma, Graduate (Conversion) Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate.

Entry Requirements

For Arts Humanities: An ABB-BBB offer is the norm. For Sciences: Offers range from ABB to BBB depending on course popularity. For Sciences Engineering: 80-100 UCAS points for a Foundation course, 200 UCAS points for a full course.

University Accommodation

Self-catered accommodation ranges from the cheap and cheerful South Tower, with wired internet, bed and study space, to the en-suite rooms of the luxurious modern South Court.  

Private Accommodation

After the first year of studies, students have to live out. Studio flats in Southend range in price from £390 to £440 per month, while the average monthly rent for multiple occupier homes is £250 to £320. In Colchester, studio flats are slightly more expensive at £430 to £470 per month, while the average monthly rent for multiple occupier homes is £290 to £350.

Faculties and Departments

The University of Essex is divided into three main faculties: The Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Science and Health and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

The university is in the top ten British universities for research, with its Sociology and Politics departments the top ranked in the United Kingdom for research.

Tuition Fees

Fees for undergraduate students are currently set at £9,000 for UK students. Fees for overseas and postgraduate students vary depending on the course of study, so it is advisable to contact the university directly or visit their website.  

Financial Support

In addition to government grants, the University has a range of scholarships and bursaries available to eligible students.

Academic Facilities

The Albert Sloman Library on the Colchester campus is a library befitting the University's research profile, and in addition to a wide selection of print journals and books, there is wide selection available electronically. Students at the Southend campus can either visit the Albert Sloman library or order books from the daily dispatch to the Southend campus. In addition, the Colchester campus has complete Wi-Fi coverage and over 600 networked PCs on site, while the Southend campus also has a Wi-Fi network and over a hundred networked PCs.

Other on-site Amenities

The award-winning student union runs club nights, a bar and an Italian restaurant, meaning there is always something to do at the Colchester campus, which is also fully equipped with cafes, bars and sit-down restaurants, with cuisines ranging from English to Indian. The Colchester campus site has a 24-hour shop, washing facilities and ATMs. The Southend and Loughton campuses are more sparse, offering facilities for coffees and soft drinks, but both are in easy reach of London and Southend respectively.

Medical and Social Care

Students are required to register with a local GP, the Southend and Colchester campuses both have on-site GPs and medical centres, with the Southend campus even offering on-site dentistry. There is guidance and support with GP registration at the Loughton campus. All three campuses maintain confidential counselling and welfare support on site.

What's on in the Area

Colchester is the United Kingdom's oldest town, and it has a wide variety of theatres, restaurants and an excellent museum. There is also a wide selection of live music available. The clubbing scene outside the Student Union itself is not particularly exciting or dynamic, meaning that the campus tends to be the central focus in the evenings. Southend has plenty to do on the beaches during the daytime, but the best bet for nightlife there is a train to London. Loughton is only forty-five minutes away from the heart of London by tube.

Moving On

In addition to providing careers support for students looking for part-time work during their university degrees, the Colchester campus' Career Centre is open weekdays and provides CV-writing, interview support and job-seeking support to all students.

The University's motto is thought the harder, heart the keener'. Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias is amongst the alumni, as is Ben Okri, author of The Famished Road. The parkland around the Colchester campus was immortalised by the artist John Constable, who described painting as but another word for feeling'.  

Is Essex the place for you?

If you're interested in politics or sociology, you'll thrive at Essex. Budding actors will find kindred spirits at East 15. If you're looking for great nightlife, you might find the University of Essex hard-going. Why not look at Glasgow or Leeds?