I really enjoyed my time at the University of Essex and would definitely recommend the university to others. Living on campus has many benefits that I really enjoyed. Definitely a great experience!
Application
This is where the experience of MicroEDU pays off, all questions were answered quickly and easily. It is important to choose courses in advance in order to minimize the stress in the first days in Essex. It is possible to change the course selection in the first few days, but every change in Essex costs time, as you are constantly running back and forth between the faculty, the international office and the curriculum office; Waiting times included. You have to choose courses worth 60 Essex Credit points (30ECTS), no more and no less (doing more courses / exams is neither usual nor allowed).
The first days
In any case, the introductory week gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the area and meet new people. Compared to other universities, the whole thing is quite decent. Is important to note that there is no transfer limit on the credit card, as you will be asked in the Finance Office, where AT THE POINT by credit card, tuition fees should pay for the entire term. Why this cannot be announced in advance is incomprehensible to me. Alternatively, you can of course also make a transfer, but the university or the lady in the finance office see it as backwoods and extremely tedious. You can easily transfer the fees for the student dormitory online from home (the deadline there is also January 31 or April)
Otherwise, the International Office organizes a welcome party, giving you the opportunity to find out more about student associations and explore Colchester with local students. Generally speaking, you can get any help from the university if you ask for it.
Living
Definitely not quays !!!
You can choose between the very social Towers (South Towers around £ 70 / week, North £ 80 / week), the South Courts (around £ 100-110 / week) and the very, very quiet Houses.
The meadows, which are a bit off campus, are also a bit more expensive, but also very new and pleasant to live in (also closer to the supermarket).
The quays mentioned above are by no means recommended, as they can be reached via a pedestrian bridge and are still approx. 20 minutes away from the campus. Especially at night this is not so nice and, above all, unnecessary because there are much better living options on campus. In addition, there is often no contact with the roommates.
I lived in the North Towers with 12 people and it was absolutely worth it. There is always something going on there, especially in the communal kitchen, and you can quickly make contacts (especially with English people). A disadvantage can be that it is never really clean (the kitchen is actually almost always dirty and untidy) and that there is often noise during the week in the evening and night hours. At the same time, you can also organize endless flat parties without the neighbors complaining. Furthermore, the bathrooms and toilets are to be shared with several people (for me there were only 4 people per bathroom, but in the South Towers it can also be up to 7). The South Towers also have the disadvantage
If you prefer to live a little quieter, we recommend the South Courts. Not far from the South Towers you can live there in small flat shares (bathroom and kitchen are only shared with 5 people).
University
The level is actually rated lower by all exchange students than in their home country (I’ve heard from almost all other exchange students). Personally, I had the feeling that a lot more value was placed on seminar papers and that the midterm exams offer an opportunity to get a good grade (the final exams are usually much more difficult than all intermediate exams). It is therefore worthwhile to do all kinds of voluntary and compulsory work with care during the semester. The final exams are all within a short period of time and can make you sweat. Nevertheless, you have enough time to study for the final exams.
The professors and their assistants always have an open ear for you. There are weekly office hours to which you can go without registering, otherwise a lot can also be clarified by email or an individual meeting can be arranged.
The university has a good reputation in England, with the social sciences (politics) and the business faculty standing out in particular. The university has received several awards over the past few years for looking after its students.
Leisure
Whether sport, theater or a trip to the sea: there is really something for everyone.
Two discos and numerous flat parties in the towers provide evening entertainment. There are also tons of student associations, sports clubs and societies where membership is highly recommended. These associations with their events often offer a change from everyday university life. They are also an ideal place to meet people with similar interests. A list with all associations is given on the first day (or here http://www.essexstudent.com/)
The university’s fitness center is not very large, but offers everything your heart desires. Many sports are practiced both competitively and in “just play” mode.
According to MCAT-TEST-CENTERS, the first weekends should definitely be used to travel. Not only is London always worth a trip, but Edinburgh is also an affordable travel destination if you book early. The sea is not far either, although Clacton-on-Sea pier has long been past its best days (not so worth seeing in my opinion). Wivenhoe is ideal for a Sunday afternoon excursion or a pub crawl (2.5 km or half an hour’s walk, buses run constantly).
The next town is Colchester, which has a very nice castle, a cinema, nightlife and a city center with the most essential shops. But nobody here becomes a shopaholic. The city center can be reached within 25 minutes by bus. Anyone looking for a student job will quickly find it here.
