University of Essex

The United Kingdom is a sovereign state in Europe. Lying off the northwestern coast of the European mainland, the country includes the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. The UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea in the east and the English Channel in the south; the Irish Sea separates Great Britain from Ireland. Its capital city is London, an important global city and financial centre. The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is known for its parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, and its membership in international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO.

Colchester is a historic city of about 100,000 citizens and happens to be Britain's oldest recorded town. Located only 1 hour from London, Colchester has excellent access to Europe by sea, at Harwich International Port, and by air through nearby Stansted airport. The city is one of the driest regions in the UK. It offers plenty of activities including visits to arts and cultural sites, water sports, the Colchester Zoo, vintage shopping, high tea in country estates, ghost walks, and much more.

Study in an exciting and international environment, at one of the UK's leading universities. A thriving academic community of over 12,000 students from more than 130 countries can be found studying at the University of Essex. University of Essex is one of the UK's most popular universities for international students for many reasons, including its status as:

1. Top ten for research excellence
2. Top twenty for student satisfaction
3. An international community

Colchester Campus

The main Colchester campus is built around five compact and bustling, inter-linked squares. This encourages academics from different departments to work together, nurturing the interdisciplinary nature of the teaching and research at the University of Essex. This creates a friendly, diverse campus atmosphere for all students.

The Colchester campus students and staff take advantage of the safe and well-designed cycle routes, play frisbee golf around the parkland, or go for a jog along the running trails to take a break from the hustle and bustle of campus life. During the summer term, you will often find students enjoying the warmer climate down by the lakes, cooking up a feast on the communal barbecues, or tending to the vegetables at the campus farm!

Colchester campus boasts:

• a campus shop
• an international food store, bakery, post office, book shop, and hairdressers
• a 24-hour supermarket within walking distance
• 3 late night venues on campus
• weekly events (salsa, international night, live acts)
• easy access to bars, clubs, and restaurants
• 130-station gym
• sports hall, squash courts, indoor climbing wall, dance studios
• 40-acres of outdoor sports facilities (cricket, football, hockey, rugby, tennis, frisbee golf)

Courses available for exchange students can be found using the University of Essex's Module Directory.

Students are required to take at least 60 Essex credits per semester. It is not possible for exchange students to use the online module enrolment program, so enrollment must be processed by the University of Essex's international office.

If you go on an exchange in the fall semester, all of your assessments, including written exams, will take place during that time. If you study in the spring and summer semesters, your exams for your spring courses will take place in the summer semester.  Summer term teaching is very minimal and consists of mostly review classes.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

• East 15 Acting School
• History
• Literature, Film, and Theatre
• Essex Law School
• Philosophy and Art History
• Edge Hotel School

Faculty of Science and Health

• School of Life Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Psychology
• School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering
• School of Health and Social Care
• School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences

Faculty of Social Sciences

• Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
• Economics
• Essex Business School
• Government
• Language and Linguisitics
• Sociology

Students are required to take at least 60 Essex credits per semester, which is typically four courses. Courses taken at Essex typically transfer back to the U of L on a course-for-course basis.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

If you plan to stay in the UK for 6 months or less, you do not need to obtain a study visa. However, you should ensure you are absolutely certain you will not want to work in the UK and you will not want to extend your stay. For more information about short-term entry requirements click here.

If you plan to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months, you will be required to obtain a Student Visa. To do this, you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University of Essex. The CAS is a unique number that will be issued to the University of Essex by the UK Border Agency. The visa application fee for 2023 is £363. For more information about applying for a student visa, visit the University of Essex's application guide or www.gov.uk/student-visa.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting the UK, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences

• Cost: room prices vary from approximately $150 - 400 per week
• Single study rooms with shared kitchen facilities and either shared or en-suites bathrooms.
• Includes utilities, internet access, contents insurance, 24/7 security, support from well-being teams, and a gym membership.
• Rooms and flats are fully furnished. All kitchens have a stove, microwave, oven, and fridge/freezer. There are laundromats situated close to all residences.
• Single-gender flats are available.
• Accommodation is arranged via Essex Abroad. Students will be notified in August/September for October entry and in December for January entry. Accommodation cannot be guaranteed. Students are not able to use the online Accommodation Application.
• For the Spring/Summer semester, students may vacate their room early once they finish exams but are obligated to pay their accommodation fee until the end of June.
• Accommodation Comparison Guide

Private Housing

• If you do not wish to apply for campus accommodation or are not offered campus accommodation, the Students' Union offers assistance to find private local accommodation.

Arrival Information

There is a direct shuttle service to and from Stansted Airport. On Arrivals Day (Autumn term only), the University also operates a direct coach service to the campus. Students will be provided with the necessary link to secure a place during August.

In Colchester

There are excellent transport links around the United Kingdom and to Europe. Colchester is approximately an hour away from London by train. Bus service to the town centre and local destinations with stops on campus is run regularly.

Students at the University of Essex have access to discounted bus passes and train season tickets. Bus passes allow for unlimited travel within the chosen zone and train season tickets allow for unlimited travel between two stations.

In Europe

For those planning a lot of travel throughout Europe, it is recommended to buy a Eurail pass. The pass must be purchased before going to the UK.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is advisable that you obtain fully comprehensive travel and health insurance before departing for the UK. For more information, click here.

Essex provides information about the cost of living in Colchester here. Actual living costs will vary depending on your lifestyle and chosen accommodation.