University of Essex

The lecturers are amazing. Especially wanting to go into the research field, there are amazing people around with loads of knowledge and passion to share. There is a great community and efforts for students by students. Unfortunately, these positives are very much on an individual level. As an organization, the university is a business that cares about making money and profit above and at the cost of anything else.
I wish as students we would be actually seen and appreciated as them. Also held accountable to the level of being a student who choose to further their education. We are numbers who only count as part of a business plan. I feel the interest and efforts to accommodate students (from the management's position) ends at the ' attract students'. The moment you signed up you are no longer a priority. This becomes even worse when you have any interest in furthering your education.
The institutes priorities further tie lecturers' hands. They may have the best intentions but have to dance to the tune of management. There have been endless strikes... and with good reason.
Studying at the university of essex can be great, as long as you don't require too much flexibility on your end. Once your path falls outside of the ideal perfect set up they want you to have, it is a fight for your right.
The university is 1 institute, but every department is their own hub. The lack of communication makes for everyone having their own way of doing things. Which is fine... but also leads to very inefficient working. Several departments use similar equipment and techniques for years, but only discovered this in the last year. It hinders collaboration and achieving full potential...

When I arrived at the university of essex, in 2019, I heard great things. Unfortunately it has become clear I arrived at the tail end of a great era. The university has all the potential, but is just rigid.