This university is supportive towards students and their lifestyle. Always attempts to hear everyone’s voice.

• Facilities 3.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 4.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 5.0

Flexible teaching hours, balanced timetable and contact with lectures.

• Course content 5.0
• Lecturers and teaching quality 3.0
• Tutor contact time 4.0
• Subject facilities 4.0

Very good amenities and management support.

• Location 4.0
• Safety 4.0
• Room allocation 4.0
• Internet/wifi 3.0
• Value for money 4.0
• Property management 4.0

What makes the University of Essex such a great place to study is the overall experience it provides, both academically and personally. It is not just about lectures and assessments; it is about the environment, the people, the support systems, and the opportunities that come together to create a place where students can genuinely grow. One of the things I appreciate most is the location. The Colchester campus has a peaceful, green setting that makes studying feel calm and focused. The surroundings create a sense of space, which is important when managing academic pressure. At the same time, everything you need is close by. The campus layout is practical and easy to navigate, which makes daily life simple and efficient. There is something reassuring about having lecture halls, study spaces, accommodation, shops, and support services all within walking distance. The lecturers are another major strength of the University of Essex. They are approachable, knowledgeable, and supportive. It is clear that they are not only experts in their fields but also invested in student success. When concepts are challenging, they are willing to explain them in different ways and provide clarification. They encourage questions and critical thinking, which helps build confidence. I have found that the teaching environment feels respectful and professional, yet welcoming. That balance makes a real difference in how comfortable students feel engaging in discussions. The Student Union plays an important role in making Essex a supportive place to study. They are accessible, responsive, and genuinely there to represent students. Whether someone needs advice, guidance, or simply reassurance, there is always support available. Knowing that there is a strong student voice on campus adds to the feeling of belonging and security. It shows that students are valued members of the university community. Access to the library is another reason Essex stands out. The library is easy to reach and offers long opening hours, which is essential during busy periods. The study spaces are well organised, with options for quiet independent work as well as group collaboration. Having reliable access to academic resources, journals, and books in one place makes studying much more effective. It removes unnecessary stress and allows students to focus on learning rather than logistics. Diversity is also one of the university’s greatest strengths. Students come from many different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. This creates a rich academic environment where discussions are broader and more insightful. Learning alongside people with different perspectives strengthens understanding and prepares students for a global world. Beyond academics, the university encourages independence while still providing guidance. Students are trusted to take responsibility for their work, but support is always available when needed. That balance has helped me grow not only academically but also personally. It builds resilience, discipline, and confidence. Overall, the University of Essex offers more than just a degree. It provides a supportive academic community, accessible resources, engaged lecturers, and an inclusive environment. It is a place where students are encouraged to succeed, supported when challenges arise, and given the space to develop into capable and confident individuals. That combination is what truly makes it a great place to study.

• Facilities 5.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 5.0
• Students' union 5.0

Best - the nature, wildlife and scenery. Therapy dogs weekly. Lots of study space options. The student led SU. Worse - there is help available but as a neurodivergent person getting access to help is a task in itself and can be quite challenging to instigate. It would be good to initially have support to access the help available.

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 4.0
• Campus look and feel 4.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 5.0

Not bad

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 4.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 4.0

I absolutely love the Wivenhoe side of the uni it's especially nice in the summer. So green and pleasant.

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 4.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 4.0

The best aspect of my university is how welcoming and unique it feels. Every time I drive there, I feel special and valued. The events and support provided are excellent, and my teachers are amazing and very supportive. The only negative aspect is the parking, and some of the classes I have attended were quite cold. However, apart from that, I have not had any bad experiences. Overall, everyone is friendly, welcoming, and supportive, which makes it a great place to study.

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 5.0

The students union is not passive, however quiet hours and facility condition could be significantly improved and enforced.

• Facilities 3.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 4.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 4.0

The sense of community on campus is probably the best thing about the university, however over the years the facilities have got less and less e.g. lots of food places closing down and the library not being 24 hours on weekends. The food and drinks on campus are way too expensive also. I like that there are plenty of classrooms to study in when they’re not holding lectures and the SU are super responsive to any events you want to hold as a society.

• Facilities 3.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 2.0
• Campus look and feel 3.0
• Student life 3.0
• Students' union 4.0

To keep things short, the best parts are how green and open the campus is, how approachable the staff and those offering help are, and the variety of societies to take part in. The bad parts were the lack of specific communication for the events in the welcome week in the autumn term (dates and times were changed short notice or just not specified), how there is only one societies fair at the start of the autumn term (i understand why that is but for me who was too busy and overwhelmed in the autumn term to join a society, it’s hard to feel like I’d be welcomed into a society by this late point), and the lack of uniformity between lecturers (some use resources like mylab while others solely use moodle. It would be more helpful if they all used mylab).

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 3.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 5.0

University itself has really great staff, and covers the course in great detail. I also think its location is really accessible and I've met very lovely people there. I'd say the worst aspect is how the university treats this staff, sacking 400 members. I also think that the facilities at university are expensive, and I was shocked to find out bathrooms don't have female sanitary products.

• Facilities 2.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 4.0
• Campus look and feel 3.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 5.0

The Student Union, clubs and societies at Essex are amazing. They have helped me feel a lot more confident living away from home, and helped me make some amazing friends. The sports facilities are really good, and there’s always lots going on which makes campus feel lively and exciting. Some things that I feel could be improved include the support in place. I have struggled with anxiety, and I have received little to no support to help with this, apart from counselling. Further guidance that I think would help would be more support from personal tutors, and guidance on how to receive exam support. Furthermore, the cost for accommodation on campus in extortionate - over £200 for a decent en-suite room, where you’re sharing a kitchen with 11 people. I didn’t go to a London university as it was so expensive, but it’s just as expensive here due to the financial situation of the university.

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 3.0
• Student support 2.0
• Campus look and feel 3.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 5.0

Lots of activities for students and opportunities to socialise and get to know new people.

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 4.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 5.0
• Students' union 4.0

Best experience - many societies and daily/ seasonal events to participate in - easy commute to travel by public transport - varied food and drink options - friendly staff and supportive lecturers Worst experience - Sometimes difficult to navigate around campus to reach 'awkward' rooms. - as SU staff, we do not get discounts in the main store where we are most likely to shop - main store prices have increased and am put off by the prices of basic cooking ingredients.

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 3.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 4.0

Largely positive but the campus is a bit dull in terms of architecture (muted colors, boring building styles).

• Facilities 5.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 4.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 5.0

The best part of my University experience has been the Student support I have received. Since beginning my studies, I cannot say that I haven't experienced any adversities. The university has worked tirelessly to help me with my problems outside of my studies as they know the negative impact it can have on my studies. They have supported me in ways I did not believe was possible and have even gone out of their way to make certain calls and emails for me. I really appreciate their help and concern and determination to make sure each student studying with them gets the best out of The University. I think they could update some of their apps, and some of the tutors could be a little bit more proactive in responding to their students. Another way of improving is by changing their International students policy which could generate more international students as over the past few years there has been a massive decline in how many international students are studying at the University.

• Facilities 5.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 4.0
• Student life 5.0
• Students' union 5.0

They really listen to you, and there’s so many services to reach out too. Especially as I am on a placement year, really helpful

• Facilities 5.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 5.0
• Students' union 5.0

First years in halls is quite lonely and i had to join society to make friends However there is a lot of resources and study spaces for the students

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 3.0
• Student support 3.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 4.0

It’s a great place to study because the university facilities are great potentials for learning and improving the knowledge of students. It could be improved by adding more basic amenities, Needed to make the environment a more enjoyable place to study.

• Facilities 5.0
• Location 5.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 5.0
• Students' union 5.0

Best aspects are definitely the events that they put on to socialise, the worst I would say is the support from the university if you have an issue about something

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 3.0
• Student support 3.0
• Campus look and feel 3.0
• Student life 3.0
• Students' union 4.0

The Students’ Union (SU) is a great place to study because it is very student-focused and consistently hosts programmes and events throughout the year that are designed with students’ interests and wellbeing in mind. These activities help create a sense of community on campus and make university life more engaging, especially for students who may feel isolated. Additionally, the SU provides student job opportunities, which are extremely helpful for gaining work experience and financial support while studying. The location of the SU is convenient and generally accessible, making it a central hub for students to socialise, study, and participate in events. However, compared to the 2023 academic year, there has been a noticeable decline in the quality and frequency of programmes hosted, with several events being cancelled. This reduces opportunities for student engagement and campus involvement. Furthermore, the closure of facilities such as restaurants and cafés has negatively impacted the overall student experience. These spaces previously offered comfortable areas for studying, socialising, and taking breaks between classes. To improve, the SU could focus on consistently delivering well-organised programmes, reducing cancellations, and reopening or enhancing food and social spaces to better support students’ academic and social needs.

• Facilities 4.0
• Location 4.0
• Student support 5.0
• Campus look and feel 5.0
• Student life 4.0
• Students' union 4.0