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Image from University of Essex
Image from University of Essex
Image from University of Essex

University of Essex

(4.1)
53 reviews
Guardian University Guide 2026 ranking
12
29
44
View all courses

Overview

University of Essex information

Level of study
Undergraduate61%Postgraduate39%
Mode of study
Full-time96%Part-time4%
Gender ratio
Female55%Male44%Other0%
Where students come from
International25%UK75%
Number of students
16,275
Source: HESA

About University of Essex

UCAS code: E70

Founded in 1964, we’ve spent 60 years encouraging boldness, bravery and ensuring an Essex education is accessible to all. You’ll feel this Essex Spirit across our campuses.

Source: University of Essex

Tuition fees at University of Essex

  • First year tuition fees for UK students range from £5,760 to £9,535 with the most common fee for a course being £9,250.
  • International students pay between £10,635 and £25,360 in the first year, with most courses having a fee of £20,475.

Job prospects

Undergraduate

£24.5k

Average graduate salary

86%

Graduates in work or further study

Postgraduate

89%

Graduates in work or further study

Average graduate salary is determined 12 months after a student graduates from University of Essex

Graduates in work or further study percentage is determined 15 months after a student graduates from University of Essex

University of Essex open days

Are you thinking of applying to this university?

Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.

Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.

Courses

Search courses

Here are University of Essex's top 20 courses, based on UCAS points

136 UCAS points

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Including Placement Year)

BA (Hons) 4 Years sandwich 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MEcon Management Economics (integrated masters) including year abroad

MEcon 5 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Economics with Data Science

BSc (Hons) 3 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Economics and Politics (Including Placement Year)

BSc (Hons) 4 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Including Year Abroad)

BA (Hons) 4 Years sandwich 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

BA (Hons) 3 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Economics and Politics

BSc (Hons) 3 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MEcon Economics (four-year integrated masters)

MEcon 4 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year)

BSc (Hons) 4 Years full-time with year in industry 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MEcon Management Economics (Integrated Masters) including placement year

MEcon 5 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Economics and Politics (Including Year Abroad)

BSc (Hons) 4 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MEcon Financial Economics (integrated masters) including year abroad

MEcon 5 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MPol Politics and International Relations (four-year integrated masters)

MPol 4 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Economics with Data Science (Including Year Abroad)

BSc (Hons) 4 Years full-time including placement abroad 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Politics and International Relations

BSc (Hons) 3 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136 UCAS points

Politics and International Relations (Including Year Abroad)

BSc (Hons) 4 Years full-time with time abroad 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MEcon Financial Economics (integrated masters) including placement year

MEcon 5 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MPol Politics and International Relations (integrated masters) including year abroad

MPol 5 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MEcon Financial Economics (four-year integrated masters)

MEcon 4 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

136-144 UCAS points

MPol Politics and International Relations (integrated masters) including placement year

MPol 5 Years full-time 2026

Colchester Campus

University of Essex reviews

(4.1)
Based on 53 reviews from University of Essex's students and alumni
5 star
47%
4 star
31%
3 star
11%
2 star
11%
1 star
0%
All reviews

Showing 45 reviews

2nd year student

The SU tries their best with the budget they have. They are probably one of the only departments who try their hardest at Essex. Societies and sports clubs are great with lots of socials and a great way and the best way to make new friends at Essex. The 2 bars and nightclub on campus are ok although...

(4)

2 years ago

2nd year student

I live near Colchester so I haven’t moved far to go to Essex University so I knew what the area would be like. It isn’t the most busiest area and you can pretty much find every and do everything tourist-wise in a couple of days. Nightlife is ok with the club on campus and a couple in the town, all o...

(4)

2 years ago

2nd year student

With the cost of living so high in the UK, the University has only raised their rent slightly and when you take into account that bills are included, the cheaper accommodation options are quite good deals. I notice that financial support is offered to those in more difficult circumstances due to the...

(4)

2 years ago

2nd year student

There is more that could be done in this area and I imagine those who are new to this sort of environment (living on your own, needing to self motivate to study etc) would struggle as there is a lack of communication from all aspects of the University. A simple email explaining how a specific examin...

(3)

2 years ago

2nd year student

The facilities on campus for education (library, labs etc) I cannot fault and they all work effectively. However, the accommodation is quite poor. In my 1st year in halls, I moved into a dirty room which smelt like a toilet. Clearly it hadn’t been cleaned since the last tenant which meant I had to c...

(2)

2 years ago

2nd year student

The course content is good however the delivery is lacking. It seems pointless going to lectures face to face as a lot of lecturers just read off the slides and add nothing on top. Sometimes the lecturers themselves seem puzzled at some of the content on the slides and they often just quickly move o...

(2)

2 years ago

National Student Survey (NSS) scores

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

87%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

94%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

82%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

86%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

84%

med

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

88%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

86%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

87%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

83%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

88%

med

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

85%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

77%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

88%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

80%

med

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

90%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

90%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

83%

med

How well organised is your course?

83%

med

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

89%

high

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

93%

high

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

91%

high

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

68%

med

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

86%

med

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

80%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

79%

med

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

88%

med

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

82%

med

My contribution during placement(s) as part of the clinical team was valued.

83%

med

I was given opportunities to meet my required practice learning outcomes / competences.

86%

med

I was allocated placement(s) suitable for my course.

88%

med

I received sufficient preparatory information prior to my placement(s).

75%

med

I received appropriate supervision on placement(s).

84%

med

My practice supervisor(s) understood how my placement(s) related to the broader requirements of my course.

82%

med

Discussions

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