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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
2171 Student reviews
The best is the Thursday markets where we can shop. There aren't a lot of indoor study spaces, which I would love.
I really love the different study spaces. I like how you can go to the library and choose to sit somewhere quiet alone to get work done or you can choose a different area and work with a group. My favourite study spaces are the business school, because I love the scenery and atmosphere and the Tony Rich teaching centre because the study spaces are more private.
the campus is great and has so many things to do
The academic staff is generally helpful and the take initiative to ensure students are learning. The support team is always organizing workshops and checking up on students and we generally encouraged to reach out for help whenever
Fun fact colchester is the oldest city in the UK. But yea other than that fact I’ve had an amazing time so far in this uni for many reasons - uni has amazing staff members that are very helpful. - there are several spreaders throughout campus which gives such ease in using public transportation - it is also a 15 min walk to a tesco superstore - campus has pretty good food, especially when there is the food market - campus nightlife is decent as well, there are also plenty of night life in the town centre - town centre is only about 20-30min by bus depending which one you use - less then a half hour walk to the nearest train station - London is less than a hour away by train The downsides are pretty little compared to the positive. - When you live over the infamous bridge which is located between meadows and quays. The morning walks for 9am when there is bad weather is horrible. - this city has a lot to offer but there is only so much you can do here if you know what I mean But yea in conclusion the university itself is amazing, I’ve had an amazing time so far
18-24 years
First gen student
The university pays a great deal of attention to student social and academic wellbeing, there is many events and things in place to support us. I also love the location of the university it really feels like a bubble and I feel really safe here. I would maybe say the only thing they could do more of is activities within the day instead of nightlife being the pro dominant thing
I love the campus, but i find myself bored a lot. I only have 5 hours of classes a week, and there isn't much extra curriculular activities i've seen that AREN'T sports, and so I am inside by myself a lot but i love my classes and i love the campus
Lovely facilities and surroundings. Great online content such as Moodle, Website, and Faser. Nice large Library. Some of my teaching in previous years has been a bit weak and the lecturers have lacked ecperiencve and knowledge to pass onto us as students. Some of the assignments are a bit confusing. Expectations of reading each week are too high - a spend all day reading and spend the whole week getting through the readings for the week.
The university has many study spaces, all with allocated resources to ensure studying is made as simple as possible
The people - friends you make, teachers who provide all the support Could be improved by providing a term abroad for all subjects because I wanted to do it but couldn’t as my course wasn’t on the list. I wanted to study abroad without completing 4 years overall.
They reply to emails quite quick and help with any problems
18-24 years
First gen student
Lots of support from student services but the security services are often lacking. The location of the university makes it hard to get to work and there’s limited job opportunities in the city for students.
I hope you're well. I am a first-year Biomedical Science student at the University of Essex, and I wanted to share some of my experiences thus far. The University of Essex has proven to be a fantastic choice for my biomedical studies. The academic members are not only extremely knowledgeable, but also quite approachable. I enjoy the lectures, and the hands-on practical sessions have provided an excellent opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. The university's devotion to research is demonstrated by the cutting-edge facilities and resources offered to students. As a biomedical student, I have access to well-equipped facilities and cutting-edge technology, creating an environment conducive to research and discovery. What has really jumped out to me is Essex's supportive community. From the academic advisors who guide us through our course selections to the welcoming ambiance on campus, there is a sense of belonging that makes adjusting to university life much simpler. The University of Essex provides a diverse selection of extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies. There's something for everyone, whether they enjoy sports, the arts, or community involvement. It's an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded people and get the most out of your academic experience. Living in Essex offers certain advantages as well. The school is located in a beautiful setting, giving a tranquil and favourable environment for studies. The accessibility to many amenities and the active city life is an added benefit. Overall, my first year at the University of Essex as a Biomed student has been a rewarding experience. I feel well-supported in my academic journey, and I am eager about the chances that await me.
The vibe
Allá good
is not activities such as events/ dinners to bring students together and mix. a lot of people don’t mix with others as there isn’t a lot of opportunity to do so
Its very free and open, allows the students to be independent, there are many activities available and many different clubs too. Online help can be difficult, I have struggled a lot finding help or communicating to lecturers online.
Pros: The university holds a lot of workshops, games and things to do, for example, game nights or different clubs every day. You can make friends easily in Essex because you get many chances with these clubs and it is overall a friendly atmosphere. There are a lot of food places such as a pizza place, which is 5-6 pounds for one pizza! It is a crazy deal. There is fusion where the food prices are also not expensive and there are places you can eat. The university has a bar and a club called Subzero, it is always exciting! The university also has a massive library with five floors and many toilets around campus, in case. Cons- The university has many rooms, so it may be hard to find your classroom sometimes. Subzero may also be a little loud for the south tower people because the club is right next to them.
More social events that encrypt students to join societies as well as more awareness on what types of activities are available


The whole premises is filled with LGBTQ and Feminists and that’s completely useless in a University, Students here for education not to gain mental illness
The whole idea of completing a lecture pdf of 50 slides in just 1 hour is very unfair