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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
The teachers are lovely and the students are great! Short journey into central London which is perfect!
Good library and study spaces for students
I think the best thing about Essex Uni is the community. Everyone is so kind and accepting and this is in part thanks to how diverse the university is. There are people from countries all around the world, from different backgrounds and diffetent cultures. It easily makes Essex a way better university and it wouldn’t be as good of a uni if it wasn’t so diverse. The one thing that really needs improving is how all the rooms are numbered etc. It can really feel like a maze. I’ve been here three years and I still have to rely on the Pocket Essex app which has an interactive map of the campus. I highly recommend you get this app and use ‘Find your Way’ if you come to Essex
The university of Essex is in the heart of Southend -on -Sea's town centre. Making it easy to locate, close to the train station and parking facilities. The lectures take their time to teach the students, and are open to all questions (no question is a stupid question).
the University of Essex is actually such a nice place to study due to the amount of societies the are to join , the people, the staff and the life long friends u will make guaranteed the is absolutely nothing to improve
Really great support from the SU and the university. Excellent facilities on campus, with a variety of food and drink outlets. Most importantly, the campus cat (pebbles) :)))). I believe the university could be improved by refurbishing- the buildings are old and it does bring the overall feel down. Perhaps give the outside of the buildings a clean to get them white again :)))
The different ranging variety of student activities, the reach out for ways they can help with mental health/ willingness to help, various studying location options. Furthermore, campus has lots of food options and even a cheaper £2 menu with actually decent food on it. Most lecturers are very chill and supportive and very much willing to help out, however some can be quite rude whilst also reading off a power point, although this is not for the vast majority of them. Furthermore, faser, the online assignment upload site has a tendency to break/ not work properly; I'm also aware of people that have lost grades due to this system not functioning properly.
I think the students union is really great! Lots of events, at good times. Courses are great, lecturers are helpful. Could improve the cleanliness of campus, and have more SU job openings.
18-24 years
Best - Nice SALT lab to study in with computers, very clean and comfortable also Worst - travelling to and from campus as bus services are slow and sometimes unpredictable
The support students get if they are open to it is amazing! Teaching staff are great, offer genuine advice and are happy to answer any questions. The people who work in the uni shops and cafes are lovely; most remember my order off by heart! They create a very friendly atmosphere.
n.a
Day time activities are areas are good. Night life is bad sub zero is uncomfortable area
The university is very open and nice to walk around. There are lots of places to study at and lots of free computers on campus to use that are easily accessible. It can be difficult to find study areas at times as some indoor areas are rather difficult to navigate.
Course structure is undoubtedly the best aspect of my Uni experience. Secondly, it's location, it's close to London however, not as expensive to live. Night life and other outing options are limited here in Colchester but overall it's been a great experience. Worst aspects has to also do with the study, because recently in my second term, some of the Professors are from different culture, and particularly one of them has an accent that none of my friends understand.
25-34 years
First gen student
The university prides itself on its commitment to student well-being, offering a comprehensive range of support services. Personal tutors play a crucial role in providing individualized guidance and support to students, ensuring their overall welfare. The Student Wellbeing Hub serves as a central resource for mental health and counselling services, further reinforcing the university's dedication to holistic student support. Additionally, the vibrant Student Union contributes to fostering a sense of community and offers various resources to address students' well-being concerns. In terms of academic support, the university excels in providing assistance through various channels. The Student Union actively collaborates with academic services to ensure that students receive the support they need. The library and skills for success programs are valuable resources, aiding students in developing their academic skills and excelling in their studies. Personal tutors and lecturers also contribute to a supportive learning environment, offering guidance and mentorship. However, it's important to acknowledge the university's limitations, particularly in supporting student nurses and mature students. The current support system may not adequately address the unique needs of these groups, especially during atypical term times. Student nurses, for instance, face challenges due to their different term schedules and placement commitments, making it difficult to access certain campus services during standard term breaks. This issue extends to mature students, who may require additional support outside typical academic schedules. During the first year, while living on campus, the lack of available shops or dining options after completing a placement shift posed a notable challenge, especially during 'summing holidays.' This gap in amenities can significantly impact the overall experience for students in these situations. Addressing these shortcomings could involve expanding support services for student nurses and mature students, ensuring that they have access to essential resources even outside regular term times. Additionally, improving on-campus facilities and services, such as extending the availability of shops and eateries, can enhance the overall experience for students facing non-traditional schedules. This feedback provides valuable insights for the university to continually refine and expand its support infrastructure for a more inclusive and accommodating learning environment.
Mmmmm
LOVED the student life and the help I received! Genuinely received support and understanding. Even in times of struggle for me. I wish the facilities were a little better but the uni always email us and to let us know when lifts etc will be fixed. The lecturers I’ve had been great and others I’ve just met on campus. Overall, great experience! Especially when we have fireworks display and all. Essex reminds me of the American universities, I watch on TV haha!
Great places to study in the library and around campus. Lot to do throughout the day. Great sports facilities
Work wise it’s been really nice it’s just when it gets stressed and when you get overwhelmed with work and money issues


I love the fact that every week there will be pop-up stalls in campus. Other than that, I love just admiring the scenery of the lake when I feel depress or just finding a way to relax. I also appreciate that our Student Union will always update the students about events or announcements using emails. The only bad aspect is that the gym is too small, and is controlled crowded 24/7.
Well its interesting to learn coding and all but unfortunately the lecturers with different accents can be quite tricky to understand them during lectures or classes. Other than that, I actually hate the examination system, where finals will be set at the end of the year. I would suggest having finals for each module by the end of the terms not year. This will allow students to get the tasks done faster before the start of the next academic term/year. Additionally having to resit finals online should be an option for international students. This is because these students will obviously wanna get back to their home countries without having the struggles and worries about resiting the exam at campus. This will really help them financially and efficiently.
Well its huge ill tell you that. However, I dont really like the chairs coz there is not enough space for students to place their laptops. I also dont really like the stairs in the hall cause every time a student climb the stairs is very noisy and distracting.