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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).
4.04.22.82171 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsThe wide range of society's. And the worst thing is how the place looks.
As a student, I can confidently say that it is a great place to pursue higher education. From academics to extracurricular activities, this university offers a well-rounded experience. Firstly, the academics at the University of Essex are top-notch. The professors are highly knowledgeable in their fields and are always available to help students when needed. The courses are well-designed and cover a wide range of topics, giving students the opportunity to explore different areas of interest. Additionally, the university's library is extensive, offering a vast collection of books, journals, and other resources for research. Secondly, the campus is vibrant and welcoming, with a diverse student body. There are various clubs and societies for students to join, allowing them to pursue their interests and meet new people. The campus also has excellent facilities, including a modern sports center, a music practice room, and a theater, providing students with ample opportunities to explore their passions outside of the classroom. Lastly, the university's location is another major advantage. Located in the town of Colchester, the campus is surrounded by picturesque countryside and is only a short train ride away from London. This allows students to enjoy the tranquility of a smaller town while also having easy access to the bustling city of London. Overall, the University of Essex provides an excellent academic and social experience for its students. With its top-notch academics, diverse student body, and beautiful location, it is definitely worth considering for anyone looking to pursue higher education.
The student support is out of this world, they really want to help you succeed. There are lots of student activities and places to be social and make connections. The classes are structured with the students in mind and most of the lecturers care about the students. The buildings look a bit blah but that’s literally the only negative thing I could think of.
18-24 years
First gen student
University of Essex is such a good campus, with loads of study spaces and places to go and explore! Please do unlimited printer credits as printing papers is a lot of money coming out of the account.
I love meeting incredible people, sharing great experiences, and learning about the things i’m passionate about. This could be improved by having student support systems that are easier to access and navigate.
The campus is nice, the facilities are new or recently refurbished, the library was recently expanded offering more spaces to study individually and in groups, the computer labs all have decent tech inside and some are open 24/7 so you can go do your work whenever you feel like it
It’s a lovely university with a great staff and campus facilities!
I really enjoy the inclusivity of the University and how everyone is really friendly and easy to get along with. However, I feel that the lectures could be more engaging as lectures feel very repetitive
The best aspects is that, my lecturers and tutors are professional lawyers and I get to learn and gain their experiences. The university is located at a very serene area and it feels safe to have a walk especially at night. The worst aspects would be the students union. I had incident where my faith and concern about the Student Union bodies is not being listened and appreciated.
A significant aspect of studying at the University of Essex is the use of the library. Everyone is friendly and willing to help, and the VAST resources the university offers are incredible. I think an area of improvement would be the use of tutors within the university. Although it is based on independent learning, my third year lacked support from a dissertation tutor which should be very crucial.
Best experience: University during lockdown, I much preferred online learning through Zoom than in person lectures Worst experience: The huge financial costs that exist as a student
In my view, University of Essex is the primary place for international students considering higher education in the UK, both in terms of education standards and an overall university life experience. Professors here are genuinely leaders in their fields and draw on their research to inform their teaching sharing with students their exceptional level of knowledge and expertise. The community is highly compassionate and caring, especially regarding students' welfare and emotional wellbeing, enabling students to not only find friends, connections and build a network for life, but also to prosper in all aspects of their life. Similarly, the university itself is extremely generous and supportive as well because it provides students with numerous opportunities for securing scholarships and financial assistance. It has an incredible career development department helping students at every stage of their professional life and career development. Lastly, the campus is located within the picturesque Wivenhoe Park with different little creatures and a beauty that everyone must see. It is indeed a blessing for me to be part of University of Essex.
nothing to say
n/a
It's a nice place to study but sometimes it's difficult to find classrooms
I don't have a best or worst aspect
Best teachers ever. The campus looks and feels old
My degree includes several mandatory placements, organised by the university. Unfortunately this aspect of my degree has been appalling. The communication between students and the placement team is very difficult. Procedure dictates that students are notified of their placements 6 weeks beforehand however this has never happened, for example, my third placement was provided to me 3 days beforehand. This causes a great deal of unnecessary stress and anxiety as well as making it very difficult to make contact with the placement provider and make arrangements/ prepare for the first day. It takes a long time to get a response from the placement team. Once on placement, the support for students that are facing difficulties is minimal and the university take days to make contact with the students to discuss any difficulties/ issues that have risen. For example, my educator co tastes the university for guidance on an issue relating to what's expected of myself as a student. Rather than the university explaining the overall aims and expectations of the placement, they advised my educator issue me with a risk of fail. This was shocking to receive and it was almost a week before the university contacted me to discuss any support. Furthermore, the risk of failure procedure was not clearly explained to my educator, we therefore we unsure of how we move on from it. The placement paperwork does not allow any forum for reflection and growth. When conducting the half way visit, it would be useful to have a space where goals can be set for the student. The deadlines for assignments in the last year are very unfair. Whilst on a 10 week placement, to have a deadline for an assignment seems unfair. Good: The course leader is fantastic and always available for support. Many of the lecturers have a clear passion and communicate the learning very well.
University promised me a year abroad and when I got the offer from New Zealand they messed up by forgetting to send emails on time resulting in me not going anywhere. No one ever apologized to me. Additionally, because t all happened at the final stage of the application I was left without a house or job as I was planning to leave the country. Everyone refused me any help as there was "nothing to be done"
4.3
Has a very good students union that takes student’s concerns seriously.
Having studied during covid we were not able to do as much practical as I would have liked
Strict security due to covid