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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 staff are friendly and very supportive.
Overall Best university ever More practical work and resources than theoritical
Good studying, supportive professors.
the nightlife is not great and there are not many places to socialise, the accommodation is also really expensive. parking should not have to be paid for if you are a student living on campus
the university has a welcoming feel to it and I felt comfortable on campus very quickly. the cafes and food places are great and offer lots of different options to choose from. I have had great support from my tutors and lectures and have been made aware of the student union and where to go if I ever need assistance with anything - I can't fault it. As someone who commutes an hour or more to get to campus I have found the location surprisingly good traffic has not been too bad and there are enough transport links into campus if I am ever unable to drive. one negative would be the temperature of some of the classrooms and lecture theatres which have at points in the winter become too cold to focus on what is being taught and my cohort have had to wear coats and scarves in lectures.
Such a great place to study. Staff are extremely helpful and supportive. I have great support that was put in place before I attended university. I would recommend this university as it suits all needs. Everyone is friendly and there is lots of good places to eat!!
Great facilities and friendly staff all over campus across all departments. Always someone to help with any issues!
Nice campus lots of place to be in betwean lectures and great facility.
Great place it would be a shame to lose it with the proposed cuts
The university is overall good. It's easy to get around and there is lots of events and things to do on campus. The food selection is average and most places close in the evening and weekends.
Good labs for computer sci
There is a lot of support at the university, whether it be education, mental or physical. As well as this, there is a myriad of SU run activities, such as on-campus movie showing in CINE10, or arts and crafts in the Atrium, or a special event in the SU bar. This helps create a great balance between study and social life. The worst aspects of my university experience is the struggle I have had to remain financially stable due to the government’s maintenance loan not covering my rent, meaning I’ve had to work 30hr weeks alongside my full time studies which has been overwhelming at times.
I want to start by saying, overall, I do think the university is great. The people are (mostly) wonderful, the lecturers are fantastic, and I love studying here. I do think Essex's standards for things like student life and support have slipped since I started my foundation year. However, I will note that this is a UK wide issue due to lack of government financial support. Students' tuition can only stretch so far, and I think I am incredibly inspired by the way students and faculty have banded together to protest some of these changes. Of course, it is also heartbreaking to hear that our Southend campus is closing this year, and it's leaving both their campus and the Colchester campus in a horrifying state of turmoil. But, only time will tell how this will affect the uni life.
The Library is huge and has a place for everyone. There are some many events happening that everyone can find their cup of tea. Socialising and meeting new people have been difficult for me personally.
Good supportive lecturers. Good support
The University of Essex is a good place to study and work because it offers a supportive environment where students can grow academically and personally. The courses are well organised, and most lecturers are helpful and understanding, especially when students need extra support. There are plenty of study spaces around campus, including the library, which makes it easier to stay focused and manage coursework. Overall, the university creates a comfortable learning environment that helps students feel motivated and supported. That being said, there are a few areas where the university could improve, especially when it comes to accommodation costs. One of the biggest issues for me is laundry. Laundry is not included in the accommodation price, which means students have to pay extra every time they wash their clothes. For students who don’t have much money, this can quickly become a problem. Many students come from less fortunate backgrounds or rely on student loans, part-time jobs, or family support. Having to constantly pay for laundry might not seem like a big deal at first, but over time it really adds up and becomes stressful.
great degree, good way of teaching. The law course is very good. The extracurricular activities notably golf is amazing.
Very homely
Lots of modules are offered for all types of studies. It’s easy to navigate and all professors are helpful and friendly. Some of the infrastructure is a little older, being that it’s an older university, but it’s very homey.


good facilities and good attempts by SU
some teaching skills need work and also the classes are all over campus
could use more managment and upkeep