Study at University of Essex

Why study at University of Essex

Essex is best known for the social sciences, including politics and international studies, sociology and economics, as well as law through Essex Law School and its Human Rights Centre. Other recognised areas include linguistics, computer science and robotics, and drama through the East 15 Acting School. In the national Research Excellence Framework 2021 the university recorded leading positions for research power in sociology, law, economics, politics and computer science.

Location and student life

The main campus sits in 200 acres of parkland at Wivenhoe Park on the edge of Colchester, with lakes, the Albert Sloman Library, teaching buildings, accommodation and Students' Union venues largely in one place. Colchester is an historic town with shops, restaurants and cultural venues, and frequent trains run between London Liverpool Street and Colchester in about an hour, with some services stopping near the campus. The university's East 15 Acting School is based in Loughton, closer to London, giving drama students a separate creative base.

Courses and subjects

The university is organised into two faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health. Its schools include Essex Law School with its Human Rights Centre, Government, Economics, Sociology, Essex Business School, Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, Life Sciences, Health and Social Care, and the East 15 Acting School and Edge Hotel School. Politics, sociology, economics, law, linguistics, computer science and robotics, and drama are among its best-known areas. Foundation routes run through the University of Essex International College, and pre-sessional English courses support students who need to raise their language level.

Entry requirements for international students

International entry requirements are set by country and course, so check the guidance for your qualifications and the course page before applying. Undergraduate applicants generally need qualifications equivalent to UK A levels and postgraduate applicants a recognised bachelor's degree. For English, the university typically asks for IELTS 6.0 overall at undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level, or an accepted equivalent. Applicants who fall short can take a pre-sessional English pathway, and foundation routes are available through the University of Essex International College.

Accommodation

Most first-year students live in university accommodation on or next to the Colchester campus, which includes residential towers, houses and flats with a mix of en-suite and standard rooms. The university publishes an annual allocation policy that sets out which groups are guaranteed or prioritised for a room, including international and new first-year students, provided they apply by the stated deadline and meet the conditions. Check the current year's policy and deadline on the accommodation pages, and consider private rentals in Colchester and nearby Wivenhoe as a back-up.

Scholarships and funding

International scholarships include the Africa Undergraduate Scholarship, a tuition-fee discount of around £4,000 for self-funding students from African Union member states, and the Africa Postgraduate Scholarship, whose discount varies by country. A separate International Undergraduate Scholarship scheme has also been offered in recent years. Eligibility, values and deadlines change each year, so confirm the current position on the university's scholarships pages before applying.