University of Essex

Colchester

Location: City, Rural

About us

We’re a university where curiosity prevails, and where exploring new ways of thinking and pushing boundaries, isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected.

We are determined to do things differently and put student success at the centre of everything we do. We're committed to two things - excellence in teaching and excellence in research - and are ranked Top 30 in the Guardian University Guide 2024.

We put student success at the heart of our mission, supporting every student from every background to achieve outstanding outcomes; preparing our students to thrive in their future lives.

We are a close-knit community that has a powerful global outlook, with almost 15,000 students from more than 140 different countries.

Now is your chance to join Nobel Prize-winners, award-winning directors, presidents, well-loved actors, astronauts and over 100,000 other alumni who have gone on to shape the world and share their Essex spirit.

Are you tenacious, inquisitive, and impatient for change? Welcome home.

Impatient to get started?

Discover student life at our Colchester Campus.

What makes us different

At Essex, you’re taught by world-leading academics in a supportive and research-intensive environment. The flexibility of our courses gives you the power to pursue the things that matter to you.

Widen your experience by studying abroad as part of your degree with us. Explore another culture, develop new skills, and set yourself a challenge for a full year.

If you're planning to live on campus, our amazing accommodation is sure to make you feel at home. And the best bit? So long as you apply by the published deadline, it's guaranteed for at least your first year, so you won't need to worry about a thing.

Our determination to make a difference in society means we’re in the global top 100 of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which ranked more than 1,400 universities around the world. We're also in the UK top 10 for research quality in four subjects (Grade Point Average, REF2021) and in the UK top 10 for research power in five subjects (Times Higher Education 2022).