Bachelor's
GBP 5,000 (first year)
University of Essex
Colchester, United Kingdom
"1960s plate-glass university at Wivenhoe Park, Colchester"
At a Glance
Accept Rate
—
Avg Salary/Yr
—
Ranking
#456 (QS)
PSW VISA
2 years; 18 months from 2027
About University of Essex
The University of Essex is a public research university whose main campus is Wivenhoe Park, about two miles from Colchester city centre in Essex. Its first 122 students arrived in October 1964 and its Royal Charter took effect in January 1965, making it one of the seven original plate-glass universities; the Brutalist campus was inspired by San Gimignano. The Colchester Campus is set in 200 acres of parkland and holds the Albert Sloman Library, the Silberrad Student Centre and the Essex Sport Arena. The Loughton Campus is home to East 15 Acting School, acquired in 2000. The Southend Campus closed in summer 2026 and its courses moved to Colchester. Teaching is organised in three faculties (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science and Health) with 21 schools and departments. QS counts about 12,600 students, 71% of them undergraduates, including about 5,770 international students from more than 140 countries. Essex is known for the social sciences, with four subjects in the UK top 10 for research quality in REF 2021. It was Times Higher Education University of the Year in 2018. Alumni include Nobel laureates Oscar Arias and Christopher Pissarides.
Rankings & Recognition
#456
Ranked joint #456 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and joint #438 in QS 2027, and 12th in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Accreditations & Memberships
Eastern Arc
YERUN
YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe)
QS 2026 Performance Breakdown
Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with University of Essex's global standing for that metric.
Academic Reputation
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Employer Reputation
#
Faculty Student Ratio
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Citations per Faculty
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Key Facts
1965 (first students 1964)
Royal Charter
200 acres of parkland
Colchester Campus
12,604
Students (QS)
5,769
International (QS)
140+
Countries
2018
THE University of the Year
Popular Programs
Economics
Law
Computer Science
Data Science
Government and Politics
Acting (East 15)
Application Details
UG Route
UCAS (code E70) or direct
PG Route
Online PG application
Deposit (2027-28)
GBP 2,000-6,000 by country
Deposit (India, Nigeria etc.)
GBP 4,000
Standardized Test Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
IELTS (most UG and PGT)
|
6.0 (5.5 in each) |
|
IELTS (Foundation Year routes)
|
5.5 (5.5 in each) |
Study Abroad & Visa Details
Visa Approval Rate
95%
I-20 Processing
Student visa (CAS) + IHS
Post-Study Work
2 yrs; 18 months from Jan 2027
Green Card Pathway
Skilled Worker route
Financials
Application Fee
N/A
Avg Scholarship
GBP 2,000-5,000
Career Outcomes
25%
Placement Ratio
2 years; 18 months from 2027
Post-Study Work
20
Work While Study
Where Graduates Land
Faculty & Alumni
Faculty Staff (QS) — 1,082
International Faculty (QS) — 56%
—
Notable Alumni
Oscar Arias
Christopher Pissarides
Campus & Location
The Colchester Campus at Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, is set in 200 acres of parkland with a lake, about two miles from the city centre, and holds the library, Silberrad Student Centre, Lakeside Theatre and Essex Sport Arena. East 15 Acting School is based at the Loughton Campus on the edge of London.
Campus Details
2
campuses; 200 acres
2
miles to Colchester
Campus Forecast
No forecast data added yet. Click "Edit Details" to add.
Student Life & Housing
Housing
Housing: North and South Towers from GBP 127.89/week
Wolfson Court
South Courts
University Quays
The Meadows
The Copse up to GBP 282.87/week (2026-27)
39
44 or 50-week contracts
Dining
Dining: Fusion
Street Food Huts (Grill
Pizza
Indian
Korean)
Buffalo Joe's
Bonds cafe
Zest
The Greenhouse Cafe
Top Bar and SU Bar
Health & Wellness
Health: University of Essex Medical Practice health centre on Colchester Campus (GP and dental)
Sports Therapy Clinic
Student Services Hub
Activities & Clubs
Activities: Essex Students' Union (70+ societies)
40+ Essex Blades sports clubs
Lakeside Theatre
Art Exchange gallery
ESCALA art collection
Diversity & Demographics
Total Students (QS)
12,604
International Students
5,769
Undergraduate
71.3%
Postgraduate
28.7%
Cost Deep-Dive
BSc Computer Science (intl)
GBP 25,050 / year
LLB Law (intl)
GBP 22,600 / year
BSc Economics (intl)
GBP 22,600 / year
MSc Data Science (intl)
GBP 23,875
MSc Advanced CS (Oct 2027)
GBP 25,925
Halls (2026-27)
GBP 127.89-282.87 / week
Intakes & Deadlines
Undergraduate degrees start in October and can be applied for through UCAS (code E70) or directly; the tuition fee deposit deadline for October 2026 entry was 21 August 2026. Taught master's start in October, and some, such as MSc Data Science, also start in January (January 2027, October 2027 and January 2028). A tuition fee deposit or sponsorship evidence is needed before a CAS is issued.
Scholarships at University of Essex
5 scholarships available
Bachelor's
GBP 2,000 (first year)
International Baccalaureate Excellence Scholarship (34+ IB)
Master's
GBP 5,000
Global Talent Masters Scholarship
All Levels
Up to 100% of tuition
Sports Scholarship
All Levels
Up to 20% of tuition
Loyalty discount (Essex graduates)
These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate
Clearing offers CCD-CDD (88-80 UCAS points); IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
Postgraduate
2:2 degree in a listed subject (e.g. MSc Data Science); IELTS 6.0 (5.5 each)
English Proficiency
IELTS (most UG and PGT)
6.0 (5.5 in each)IELTS (Foundation Year routes)
5.5 (5.5 in each)Required Documents
UCAS or direct application with personal statement (UG)
Online PG application with degree transcripts
IELTS or approved English evidence
Tuition fee deposit (GBP 2,000-6,000) or sponsor letter
Audition for East 15 acting courses
ATAS certificate (some science PG)
Passport
TB test certificate (listed countries)
Application Process
1
Check country requirements
Use the Essex country pages to match your qualifications and the IELTS 6.0 (5.5 each) standard.
2
Apply
Undergraduates apply through UCAS (institution code E70) or directly to Essex; postgraduates use the online PG application.
3
Reply to offers
UCAS applicants with all decisions by 31 March confirm firm and insurance choices by 6 May.
4
Pay the deposit
Pay GBP 2,000, 4,000 or 6,000 depending on country via the Flywire link in the offer; UCAS applicants are exempt.
5
CAS and visa
Essex issues the CAS once the deposit or sponsorship is in place; then apply for the Student visa and pay the IHS.
6
Arrive in October
Register at Colchester, sign up with the on-campus University of Essex Medical Practice and join Essex SU.
Campus & Location
The Colchester Campus at Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, is set in 200 acres of parkland with a lake, about two miles from the city centre, and holds the library, Silberrad Student Centre, Lakeside Theatre and Essex Sport Arena. East 15 Acting School is based at the Loughton Campus on the edge of London.
Bachelor's
3
University of Essex
📍 Colchester
Bachelor's
Computer Science BSc (G400)
University of Essex
📍 Colchester
Bachelor's
Law LLB (M100)
University of Essex
📍 Colchester
Bachelor's
Economics BSc (L100)
Master's
2
University of Essex
📍 Colchester
Master's
Data Science MSc
University of Essex
📍 Colchester
Master's
Advanced Computer Science MSc
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