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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 reviewsGreat university , various different sports club for the active student, there are so many, also a lot of student societies to join or create. Events for students are attractive especially during summer and during freshers week. Lots of study facilities to use and there is a variety of food on campus available as well as food markets every thursday.
Best aspect are the great size and facilities that the campus offers. Mostly in sports the only problem is that there is not swimming pool for swimming or other aquatic sports
Having more student events specific to the course would be beneficial. Having more parking for students, sometimes I struggle to find a space or can't find one at all. It makes us feel like we're at home, everyone is really nice and the lecturers always support us with our issues and easy to refer to.
Location is perfect for where I live and also has lots of necessary services around it like a supermarket and set on a park area. Some buildings are more modern than others. I struggled with my first year but the support services at the uni were great. One small thing would be clubs snd groups I didn’t get a lot of information or no whether there even was a societies fair as I would want to know what was on offer, I applied for a weeks free trial for the film club but got no email or events information that was slightly disappointing. I also appreciate the careers portfolio classes keeping on track what uni is for and how to get there step by step.
Campus has loads of bars, restaurants and a nightclub so it’s nightlife is than most universities and Colchester is both affordable and not too far from Norwich and London by train (both cities have great nightlife). Only downside is that the Ubuntu lab machines are so restrictive that you can’t install new dev tools which can be a real pain. The WiFi in the library is also a bit temperamental.
The best is the societies all around campus helping students get to know one another. However, the worst has to be the distance between acoms and learning facilities.
Beautiful campus. So relaxing to walk around. Library is great and there’s lots of nice places to study independently.
Best aspects are the surplus of learning spaces and exceptionally good library, as well as the free gym membership for residents on campus. Could be improved by making the food outlets on campus and the SU shop a bit cheaper as a lot of students are very stuck for cash.
The teachers have been absolutely amazing, as have the student support staff on campus.
The university is beautiful and very peaceful the night life is also very amazing
The campus is great, feels homey, but it is very far from the city centre so there’s not much to do by feet unless you go to the campus… But there are buses and trains so it’s possible to go to the city centre in 20mins and to london in an hour and a half
It’s overall a great uni for the acceptance rate. I’d like more housing support and more creative career advice.
The campus is very open, with a wide vitality of facilities from spots facilities, study areas and restaurants, catering for anyones taste ! There is easy access to transport into the city centre of Colchester, along with the university supplying a live map of locations to prevent new students getting lost of the large open campus. There is a lot of events such as Green week and open food stools promoting different cultures and cuisines. As far as improving the university, the car parking needs to be dramatically expanded, due to a large amount of new accommodations being made, not having nearly enough space for people to park and having no flow systems causing mass traffic jams all throughout the day - there should be more direct routes in and out of the university to fix the conjestion. Another improvement of the university is the wifi, due to the majority of buildings not have any internet connections, making it hard to access readings and power points in lectures, and slowing down lectures as lectures struggle with the wifi to bring up presentations. Overall the university of Essex is a pleasant place to study allowing myself to feel included, safe and willing to work hard there due to the access and variety of tools tue university have in place to support students wether it’s with IT issues or general queries.
The wide variety of accommodation types and the facilities they have to offer is great, the student Union does all it can to make the campus and student life comfortable for all backgrounds and societies - post grads, internationals, religious, mature students and all minority groups. There is always space to be expressive of your thoughts and opinions. The campus itself however is very hard to navigate the classrooms and is stressful when doing so.
Best aspects is how everything is in one place - campus based
The best aspects of my uni experience have been the friends that I’ve made and the personal growth I have made across my course. There are loads of facilities and study spaces on campus which allow for comfortable studying. It could be improved by more parking and availability to get onto the campus. I would also like more awareness of the facilities available as I felt that I was unaware of a lot that I was to offer and subsequently missed out
The University of Essex is a great facility to learn. There is available plenty of space to learn, relax and socialise. There are resources available, such as computers or printers. The only thing that could be improved is some fractions of the student union, such as vteam (responsible for voluntary work).
18-24 years
Have more funds support for low income students or self funding students; moreover, the only funds witch is hardship fund is too strict to funding those whom really needs financial support
Essex has definitely shown me the vast future I can hold. The facilities are up to par and we have decent technology. The library hold many resources and is renovated with many places to study. The scenary isn't so pleasant but the foundation is gorgeous.
4.3
Fairly accessible but very much a stairs/hill based campus. Library is a great place to study and is helpful that it is open 24/7. Lots of opportunities to join clubs and societies as well as events and volunteering.
Good amount of class hours and in person which is good for the getting the university experience. Course content is varied and offers wide optional modules as well as interesting compulsory modules. Lecturers are kind and friendly.