Global community

International student experience

We are a truly international university that welcomes students from around the world. When students join us, for shorter or longer-term study, they will meet people from all over the planet and have wonderful opportunities to broaden their own horizons through a range of educational, cultural and leisure activities. 

Across our three campuses in the county of Essex, we work hard to create a living and working environment that helps them make their mark. With over 165 sports clubs and societies to join, our community and activities will help to make sure every student’s Essex experience is completely unforgettable.

Our sports teams have travelled the world over, spreading our Essex Spirit and enhancing our partnerships, including basketball and volleyball visiting Germany and Macau. Take a look at our country-specific information to find out all you need to know about studying here, and explore our Students' Union to find out more about getting involved in student life.

Global networking

No matter where in the world our graduates live, the Essex alumni membership gives access to exclusive events, networking opportunities, alumni discounts, professional development, business webinars, reunion support, and news from our departments.

Our alumni team is here to here our graduates stay connected, get involved, share experiences and support the University’s work into the future through volunteering and philanthropy.

Meet some of our recent graduates; hear their stories.

Join our Linked-In Alumni group.

British Council alumni awards

The awards also showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education.

Winners and finalists in the awards are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying in the UK to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.

In 2016 and 2017 Essex had five finalists in the British Council Alumni Awards, chosen from more than 1,700 applications from 125 countries. Our finalists include a leading academic, a roboticist, a biotechnologist, an innovator in the central Asian finance sector, and a founder of an English school who has become a YouTube sensation!

In 2017 Roichatul Aswidah was a finalist in the Social Impact category of the awards. As a former Human Rights student at the University of Essex, Roichatul is now a commissioner of the Indonesian National Commission of Human Rights in the Indonesian Parliament. 

Also in 2017, Ricky Gunawan won the Social Impact category of the awards, having earned his Master’s degree in Theory and Practice in Human Rights from the University of Essex. Ricky’s work focuses on ending the death penalty, reforming drug laws, and protecting the rights of Indonesia’s most vulnerable people.

Achieving gold

In 2017 the UK Government introduced the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2017 to recognise and reward excellent learning and teaching, and ensure that prospective students can make informed choices. Out of the 134 UK higher education institutions who took part in the review, 43 are Gold, 67 Silver and 24 Bronze.

Essex was awarded the top rating of Gold, and the judging panel praised us for ensuring “students from all backgrounds achieve outstanding outcomes with regards to continuation and progression to highly skilled employment or further study, notably exceeding the University’s benchmark” as well as having “outstanding levels of satisfaction with teaching, academic support, and assessment and feedback, markedly exceeding the University’s benchmark”.