The University of Essex profile
• Introduction
• Facilities
• Social
• Accommodation & Environment
• Freshers week & teaching
• Reviews & photos
• Community
Publications
Online prospectus
Official website
Student Union website
Student forum/messageboard
Openday dates
Contact information
Address: University of Essex
Wivenhoe park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
Tel: 01206 873666
Fax: 01206 873423
Email: admit@essex.ac.uk
Location
Map
Travel Directions
Nearest town: Colchester
Distance to London: 2 hours by bus
League tables
Sunday times rank 2004: 33
Times rank 2004: 27
Guardian rank 2004: 48
Statistics
Number of undergrads: 5440
Number of postgrads: 2140
Percentage of mature students: 17%
Male/Female ratio: 52% / 48%
UK/Overseas ratio: 59% / 41%
Dropout rate: 14%
Percentage accepted through clearing: 15%
Unemployment after 3 months: 7%
Essex university's campus in about two miles from the centre of Colchester and is a self contained little town, with lecture theatres, accommodation, the library, shops and bars all sharing a surprisingly small amount of space in it's 200 acre campus.
Essex is a moderately well respected university and often does well in research rankings and teaching scores, though it dosn't have the prestige of many of the universities that dominate the league tables.
Facilities
Facilities for students are generally pretty good with most essential services being provided on campus or a short bus ride away into Colchester. With the campus shop, a bookstore, stationary store bars, restaurants and post offices all within a hundred metres of the accommodation, it’s possible to survive all year without leaving campus – though you’ll soon get sick of the lack of choice.
Social
No social introduction.
Accommodation
Accommodation seems to come in two types at Essex: clean and quiet or sociable and scummy, though it’s all self catered so be prepared to at least attempt cooking if you decide to come. On campus accommodation consists of the Towers (60’s tower blocks where 16 people sharing 1 kitchen, 2 showers and 4 toilets) and the South Courts (newer accommodation with en-suite facilities and 4 to a kitchen), with a smattering of smaller residences. There are also two off campus residences (the Quays and Avon way). All first years get university owned accommodation, and there’s also a wide selection of private houses for 2nd and 3rd years.
Freshers week
No information on freshers week.
Environment
Essex University's campus is set in the middle of 200 acres of parkland, containing lakes, sculptures, a few thousand trees and one of the only freebie-golf courses in the country. It's a pity then, that this idyllic landscape is dominated by six fifteen-story tower blocks and a concrete teaching block which appears to have been designed by a madman.
Teaching
No introduction on teaching.