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Postgraduate Reviews of Courses at University of Essex

BEST ASPECTS:

Campus life, library, professors, Pizza U

WORST ASPECTS:

Hard to meet new people when not in halls. read full review
The student support are very supportive and are there to help out with the students' needs. The food at the SU store has high prices . This is the only down side to the institution read full review

PhD Art History and Theory

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

Anastasiia - February 2026

As an Art History PhD student at the University of Essex, my experience has been very positive overall.

The strongest aspect by far is the support from my School. There is dedicated funding for extra training (such as courses or summer schools) and for conferences, including attendance even if you’re not presenting. Over the course of the PhD, this covers travel, accommodation, and fees in the UK or abroad. I’ve also benefited from fieldwork funding and support for external academic events, which has been invaluable for my research.

That said, there are some downsides. I’m not a big fan of the campus environment—the brutalist architecture feels more depressing than inspiring to me—and Colchester is quite quiet, although London being just an hour away helps a lot. I’m also not especially impressed by campus services, particularly the value for money in student housing and the limited affordable healthy food options.

Overall, though, I’d rate my experience a strong 4+ out of 5. The academic support, funding opportunities, and supportive research culture more than make up for the negatives, and I feel taken seriously as an overseas student. read full review

MA Linguistics

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

Angela - February 2026

Studying at the University of Essex has truly transformed my life, offering me opportunities I never could have imagined. The academic programs have allowed me to delve deeply into my passions for Linguistics, Literature, and Drama, combining rigorous theoretical foundations with practical, real-world experiences. The quality of teaching is exceptional; the professors are not only experts in their fields but genuinely care about student input, fostering an interactive and engaging learning environment.

The university's intercultural atmosphere is another key feature that enriches my experience. It has broadened my perspective, enabling me to connect with people from all over the world and embrace diversity in a truly authentic way. This openness has expanded my worldview and allowed me to build meaningful friendships with individuals from various cultural backgrounds.

Beyond academics, the University of Essex provides a wealth of extracurricular opportunities, such as volunteering and trips organized by the student society, which have allowed me to grow both personally and socially. The support I receive from the department staff and the administrative team is always outstanding, creating an environment where every student feels valued and prioritized.

I will forever be grateful to this university, not only for enhancing my academic knowledge but for teaching me how to live life with greater awareness and openness. It has shaped me into a more well-rounded individual, ready to embrace the future with confidence. read full review
very friendly and supportive staff and students read full review
It would be good to have more variety of places and product offers. Sometimes you feel bored because you always find the same stuff. read full review
All the facilities are very good read full review
Great uni experience, right now it's suffering cuts but otherwise has exceeded my expectations read full review
It has great locations for individual or group study read full review

MSc Marketing

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

Mia - February 2026

best part is the community feel and student experience read full review