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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 modules currently offered are really nice for the course I take but it is worrying with the current lay offs planned on how that will affect my education in the upcoming year.
I like the campus but they need more good spots that aren’t fast food that stays open till late.
The Uni could do with more study spaces and pods as they are often always in use. I really like the layout of the uni and how everything is quite close together. I also like the lecture/seminar rooms they are always nice and bright.
At Essex, what makes it a great place to study is the exchange experience itself. Living and studying in such an international environment allows you to meet people from many cultures, build strong friendships, and grow both academically and personally. The course content is interesting and relevant, and the campus atmosphere makes it easy to feel part of a community.
There are great food options, a couple shops too and two good bars I think. There’s also always help available. SWIS, the SFH and my course department leads are fantastic! I’m really happy with my course, my place, my tutors and course lead. I feel comfortable and am learning so much. The campus shop is really small, and the directions around the campus can be a nightmare - but it is redeemed by the find my way site. Can’t say I’ve ever heard anything from the student union or seen anyone present since the starter week. I get a few emails but there isn’t much information or engagement besides nights out and accommodation as far as I’m aware: though I’m sure they’re great and SU events are probably great - I wouldn’t know
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Amazing student support from professors, I feel like more streamlining could be done with job opportunities and whatnot like top unis manage to do with their graduates
It’s good
I think the university offers many opportunities, whether that be for sports, academic or any other. It also has great facilities such as the sports arena and gym (I think adding a swimming pool would make it even better) and study areas such as the library (please fix the fun lifts). Everything to do with your course is accessible online which makes studying away from lectures or seminars very easy. To improve my experience, I would probably increase the amount of outdoor social spaces and refurbish some of the accommodations.
I feel supportive and friendly environment in this institution
18-24 years
The staff are friendly, experts and very good at breaking down complex skills into manageable chunks of tasks. The facilities are very good, especially the various laboratories I have had the privilege of learning in or observing others in. A close location to London makes out of term time travel much less expensive for many Marine Biology students than would otherwise be the case studying somewhere like Hull, Bangor or St. Andrew's. The campus is beautiful, very spaced out and there are many different environments that cater to specific studying styles like quiet and focused or more social discussion and project planning rooms adjoining the library. Unfortunately Student life is not particularly shining as ever since 2023/24, low cost options and freebies have been filtered out such as the Jacket Potato shop which had £2 jacket potato options that felt viable and healthy for students struggling with costs of living and various other £2 eating options across other outlets on the campus. I haven't interacted much with the student's union but they seem functional and they helped me get a refund when I mistakenly bought a society membership that clashed with my timetable.
It’s a great place to study with plenty of student help
Reduced prices of products in campus, reduced accommodation prices
Great location, easy bus service to uni, great lecturers and clean environment. Library is amazing too. No complaints from me
I love the Uni, the campus and the staff are super supportive. Would highly recommend this uni
The CAS delay, no support in changing course when requested, and no support in moving out of campus accommodation, these points affected my overall view of the university. The good part is you do not have full timetable every day and you have good amount of time to study or revise your modules.
Some of my lecturers are extremely supportive and go way above and beyond. Often however, there is poor communication on the course which leads to many issues. The accommodation team is very poor at dealing with flat issues that go against their own student code of conduct for example, I reported my flat mates smoking.
My course is great all the lecturers are engaging and the teaching quality is good! we have many opportunities outside of the law school where we can apply our learning e.g the law clinic. student social life is also great with interesting events happening pretty much every night. accommodation location around campus is good with accessible places at every accommodation like the laundry room however accommodations can be a little cheaper
At the University of Essex in Colchester, the best part of my university experience has been the independence and personal growth it’s pushed me into, also the SU activities . Moving away from home forced me to become more self-reliant, disciplined, and confident in managing my studies and daily life. I’ve also appreciated the diversity on campus — meeting people from different backgrounds has broadened my perspective and made discussions, especially in seminars, and su events much more engaging. The worst aspect has probably been adjusting to the workload and balancing everything at once. At times it can feel overwhelming, particularly during exam or deadline periods, as most assignments are released at once and being away from family while handling that pressure isn’t always easy. However, even those challenges have helped me build resilience and better time management skills. additionally, I think they should add more social things for people to meet in, like classes, so we could meet other people in the seminars.
4.3
best - campus is quite nice worst - lack of support and knowledge with lectures
best - when we’re doing practical work it’s good worst - lack of support
like - having my own room don’t like - expensive, never clean, kitchen appliances aren’t good