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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
it’s a family environment and everyone is welcoming and friendly
Lecture
Facilities are good but maybe they can put more comfortable and hotter spaces for students who are waiting their lectures time and maybe thay can do more discounts for students in campus for getting meals and etc.
Your tutors will help you so much throughout your education however when it comes to the teaching aspect it is 50/50. Some teachers are very good at what they do and will help you with questions and extra support. Others will just let you figure it out by yourself. Don’t take career advisors and student support for granted. They will help you in so many ways. Depending on the course you’re studying, you’ll find out that some courses are well organised and prepared others on the contrary will have no substitute for certain modules, have tight deadlines and so on. The UoE is not entirely bad but it could be so much better considering the fact that a lot of international students recommend it. I really love the university but it could improve in certain areas. The university also aid in supporting students with financial difficulties.
The best part is the overall student community and our SU creates a lot of fun events that helps to meet new people and it is easier to make friends. The worst part is that some of the classrooms and/or auditoriums are freezing cold during cold winter months.
25-34 years
I been in 2 university one in my hometown and second in Australia. The Essex university is the university i didnot thought it does exist. Simple learning while it is advanced in same time. Pros -good staff -jumping straight away to learning -subject does focus on your main course no fill up course to make it 3 years. -easy to learn as you will find labs and a lot of exercises in each subject. Cons -no many diverse resturant in uni. -The uni websites doesnot have all info you need in same place. To check attendance use (leap )To check marks or submit assignments go to( faser). I prefer to be all on the student moodle so we can check study and submit in one place . Will be easier to check your progress while study.
Overall the University experience has been great so far. The only aspect that could be improved could be the transportation, as the last bus passes at 22:24pm which some students might need the bus to go to their house after some facilities.
The lecturers and support at this university is amazing and I have loved my experience here for the past three years.
25-34 years
Great support from staff. Facilities are wonderful. Can always find a study space or computer to use. Signage for rooms could be a bit clearer but the find your way app is a life saver.
The campus has great facilities and I like the way it has a campus feel, everything is so close together. Well-being services are spoken about a lot by tutors and staff. The overall city it’s based in isn’t great, it lacks a lot of care. However, as a university I would recommend it to anyone.
I don’t think I have any bad aspects to talk about, but I can tell you that UoE is my second home. I traveled a lot in the last few years, but this University made me feel like home. The people here are amazing, the teachers, the staff, students, everyone is open-minded and ready to help you with everything you need. As an international student I recommend this university to every person who would like to try studying abroad!
The University of Essex is a great place to study: - This is a very diverse and multicultural university so as an international student I don't feel out of place. - Students can always feel supported. If you're struggling with your mental health or feel like you're failing a class, you can always talk to someone to get better or improve your grades. - The center of Colchester is close: 40 minutes (walking) or 20 minutes (bus). - There are a lot of societies. How it could be improved: - Accommodation is too expensive. - Facilities are good but some are also quite old .
University of Essex comes along with a great social environment and diversity. The quality of education is admirable and comes along with a lot of research opportunities. The campus is equipped with modern facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and recreational spaces, contributing to a positive learning environment. The university often offers support services for students, including academic guidance, counseling, and career advice. When it comes to worst, I haven't had any worst experiences but services in south courts accommodation could be improved a little bit.
The University of Essex in Colchester stands out as an exceptional place to study, boasting a wonderful academic environment. The faculty is composed of remarkable and diverse lecturers who bring invaluable experiences and backgrounds, fostering an encouraging and intellectually stimulating atmosphere. Their supportiveness and open communication channels make acquiring necessary information a seamless process. The campus, though relatively small, is exceptionally comfortable and well-organised, facilitating easy navigation to seminar rooms, laboratories, and lecture theatres. The availability of fantastic study spaces, including the beautiful library, adds to the overall conducive learning environment. Moreover, the campus amenities, such as alternative milk options in the coffee offerings and the serene park, enhance the overall student experience, creating a pleasant and tranquil atmosphere. The charm of Colchester, a lovely and calm city, further complements the university's appeal. Despite these strengths, there is room for improvement in the university's admission standards. While the academic environment remains excellent, the presence of disinterested individuals who may resort to buying assignments or engage in distracting behaviour during lectures can diminish the motivating educational atmosphere. Implementing higher entry requirements would serve to filter and ensure that only dedicated and genuinely interested students contribute to and benefit from the positive learning environment that the university strives to maintain. Additionally, there have been instances of misleading and sometimes controversial marking criteria at the University of Essex. In a specific example from the philosophy department last year, there were notable inconsistencies in marking criteria for two essays. The first essay, adhering to the module outline's explicit instruction not to include references from other philosophers due to stringent word limits, received a high mark of 85%. However, despite the acknowledgment of the essay's perfection, a substantial deduction of 25% was made for not incorporating references, creating a perplexing contradiction in the feedback. In the subsequent attempt to address this feedback, the second essay aimed to provide a theoretical framework based on additional work from another philosopher. However, this time, the essay was marked down with explicit reference to the same module outline, stating that the inclusion of references from other philosophers should be avoided. This inconsistency in marking criteria has been observed not only in the philosophy department but also in several other departments, indicating a need for more precise, standardised, and transparent guidelines to ensure fair evaluation across all subjects.
Best :great support in learning, providing sufficient resources and lecturers are welcome to answer queries Worst: launching new modules while the content covered is not adequate for completing assignments, would be better to provide guidance and more support to explain the topic and covered ares, being more specific
Really good campus orientated uni! Though the location isn’t great the student union events make up for it, though I think more events should happen during the day to cater to all :)
The investment put in the buildings and spaces is what makes the university an amazing place x The location of the university is just 50 -1hr mins away from london however getting a taxi around here can be difficult as you might have to wait for an hour or two at peak times
35-44 years
It's a great place to study. The support is there if you need it. The staff is very helpful.
The best aspects of my uni experience are living on campus and close to my friends, and being able to discover new cultures and ways of living. It’s great to study here as the university offers many activities and people are very nice here ! The worst aspect is being far from my family, and concerning the university the finding where every class takes place is really hard


18-24 years
First gen student
Have to say that the library really satisfies my requirement as a place for study
For the supervisor, almost satisfied. There are lots of supervisor that is nice while some of them are little bit strict.
Its nice place but a little far from city, leading me hardly find a part-time.
It looks small but nice to live, it can easily access to several teaching building . Also, I believe here is best budget for living in university.