Study Abroad Programme

We're flexible at Essex. You're not restricted to study within one department, you can explore new areas of study across multiple departments and build your own academic programme.

Course structure  

You can study abroad at Essex for a term or year:

• Autumn Term (October-December)
• Spring/Summer Terms (January-June)
• Academic Year (October-June)
• Calendar Year (January-December)

Full year students must take 120 Essex Credits, which is usually eight modules. Teaching takes place in the Autumn and Spring terms; in the Summer term, there will be some teaching, revision classes, and exams for all of your modules.

Term-only students must take 60 Essex Credits, which is usually four modules. All teaching and assessments will take place during the term you are at Essex, and exams are held at the end of each term.

*all students must be fully enrolled at Essex

Term dates can be found on our Academic Calendar.

Module directory

Our module directory lists the modules we offer.

To search for available modules, search for 'Incoming Essex Abroad' and select the department you are interested in.

Read the explanation of our module codes before you make your selection. You can study at either our Colchester or Southend campus, but you aren't able to study at both campuses.

Double check if you modules have any pre-requisites - you will need to demonstrate via your transcript that you have already completed similar modules at your home university.

*Gap year applicants must take first-year undergraduate modules

Departmental Study Abroad Officers (DSAOs)

Each department has a dedicated Departmental Study Abroad Officer (DSAO) on hand to provide academic advice and assess your suitability for your chosen modules. For specific questions about module content, they're the ones to speak to.

In collaboration with Absolute Internship, we’re offering Study Abroad students coming to Essex the opportunity to undertake an internship placement either in Europe or in Asia at the end of your Spring/Summer semester or year abroad.

Internship placements are offered in Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo, providing you with a chance to get even more out of your time abroad. Get to know one of Europe’s or Asia's most exciting cities after your time at Essex, and obtain some first-hand work experience while you’re at it.

For further information, including additional programme fees to be paid to Absolute Internship, and an outline of what to expect from your internship abroad check out the programme information.

If you have any further questions about this opportunity, please contact us via studyabroad@essex.ac.uk

Are you interested in British society and culture? Do you want to increase your understanding of British history, literature, politics and more, and experience first-hand what it’s really like to live and study in the UK? If the answer is yes, welcome home. Our bespoke Study Abroad programme has been especially created to develop students’ understanding of all things British, through gold-standard teaching, exciting extracurricular excursions and more.

Course structure

Students following the British Studies programme will choose from a range of carefully selected modules. You’ll learn alongside British Studies and Essex students, immersing yourself in a British educational environment and sharing the perspectives of classmates from the UK and around the world, to develop your knowledge and perceptions of British culture and societies and historical, literary and political legacies. For more information, including available modules, take a look at our programme brochure (.pdf).

The British Studies programme is designed to be flexible and interdisciplinary. As with our other Study Abroad programmes, students will be able to study in their existing field, explore new areas of interest – or both! Students will be able to join us for a semester, an academic year or a calendar year.

Additional costs

Please note, extracurricular activities will carry an additional cost and may vary depending on uptake. Full details will be communicated to you prior to your arrival with us.

Spend a year studying Events Management or Hospitality Management at our pioneering Edge Hotel School and develop your industry knowledge and professional skills by combining academic study with hands-on work experience.

Our bespoke study abroad programme has been developed by leaders in the field to ensure you have the confidence, experience and skills employers are looking for.

As part of the Events and Hospitality Management Study Abroad Programme, you will work in Wivenhoe House, the 4* hotel located on our Colchester Campus, putting theory into practice and gaining invaluable industry experience.

If you want to be challenged, if you want to gain the skills you need to succeed, if you want to make industry connections and get ahead, welcome home.

Course structure

Our programme follows the Edge Hotel degree courses, meaning you will join a cohort of Essex students currently on the degree course, and experience everything our Edge Hotel School has to offer. Depending on your previous academic background, you will follow either the first or second year of the degree programme, we welcome applicants with all levels of experience in the hospitality and events management sectors.

If you have little or no experience in the industry, Year One of our Events Management or Hospitality Management programme is for you. If you currently study within a relevant field, Year Two of our Events Management or Hospitality Management programme is the one for you.

The Events and Hospitality Management Study Abroad Programme runs from October to June. This programme is not available as a term-only option.

The academic year consists of up to 21 weeks of teaching, 8 weeks working in the hotel and 2 weeks self-study, in addition to your holidays.

During a teaching week you will spend around 9 hours in lectures, or smaller seminars. During a working week you will spend 4 or 5 days on shift, Monday – Sunday, gaining experience and applying the academic theory from your lectures. You will receive your work schedule at the beginning of term.

Additional costs

Please note, all students will be required to purchase Wivenhoe House uniform for their work placements. This will cost £250, and you will be sent more information about how to order your uniform once accepted on to the programme.

Specifically designed for those who are currently teaching English overseas, our professional development programme enables you to study CV-enhancing modules on a not-for-credit basis, while spending a semester experiencing life in the UK.

Course structure

Participants on the TEFL professional development course will select up either two or four modules within our Department of Languages and Linguistics. For more information, including available modules, take a look at our programme brochure (.pdf).

The TEFL professional development programme is designed to be enriching. Take modules in your current field of interest, or explore other areas!

English language

If you are non-native speaker of English, we accept the following English language certificates:

Full year students from EU/EEA and Non-EU/EEA countries

Undergraduate students:

• IELTS: 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element (requirement of the UK Student Visa)

• TOEFL iBT: 76 overall with a minimum of 17 listening & writing, 18 reading, 20 speaking – further details can be found in the 'First Year Entry’ section of our student visa guidance.

Postgraduate students:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element (requirement of the UK Student Visa)

• TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with a minimum of 17 listening & writing, 18 reading, 20 speaking – further details can be found in the 'First Year Entry’ section of our student visa guidance.

Term only students from EU/EEA and NON-EU/EEA countries

Minimum requirements can be found in the 'First Year Entry’ section of our student visa guidance.

We are also happy to accept a letter or certificate confirming the student has reached the minimum B2 level from EU/EEA institutions.

Certificates must have been issued within three years of your application to Essex. If you do not meet our language requirements, or would like to improve your English before studying abroad at Essex, we offer a wide range of Pre-sessional English language courses taught by University of Essex International College (a Kaplan International Pathways college).

Academic requirements

You must be in a good academic standing at your home institution. Please check the modules you would like to take at Essex for any pre-requisites.

You might need a visa to study at Essex. The type of visa you may need will depend on your circumstances including the length of your studies at Essex and where you are applying from. After you officially accept our offer to study at Essex, we will give you further details about how to enter the UK.

Full Year students (over 6 months) EU/EEA and NON-EU

• Need to apply for Student Visa.
• Can apply for visa up to 6 months before course starts, decisions are usually made within approximately 3 weeks.
• Visa fee from outside the UK can be found on the UK Government webpages..
• The student may be able to work.
• Student will be required to pay Healthcare surcharge.
• Essex will provide student with CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) in order to apply for Student Visa.

Term only students (under 6 months)

EU/EEA

• Do not need to apply for a visa
• Student will be provided with proof of acceptance by Essex Abroad
• Not allowed to work including volunteering
• Health surcharge not required – if students are eligible under the government healthcare rules. If not eligible, any NHS treatment will payable unless it’s a free service.

Non-EU

• Students MUST check the UK Government webpages if they need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. Not all Non-EU/EEA students will require a visa.
• Student will be provided with proof of acceptance by Essex Abroad
• Not allowed to work including volunteering
• Health surcharge not required but the student will need to pay for any NHS care they get at the point they use it - unless it’s a free service. Please ensure you have adequate health cover.

Please refer to the University of Essex immigration webpages and the UK Government webpages for up to date guidance.

External scholarship opportunities

Gilman-McCain scholarship
An award of $5000 for eligible students participating in a Study Abroad programme from the USA. Find out more and apply.

US Federal Aid funding
As a Study Abroad student from the USA you can also apply for US Federal Aid funding as long as your study abroad period is no longer than 25% of your course length. You can read more about this on our US direct loans webpages.

Our application for fee-paying students to study abroad at Essex in 2025-2026 is now open. Applications can be made via our online portal.

If you are an exchange student, please visit our incoming exchange webpages for further information.

Application Deadlines

• For Autumn entry, apply by 31 May
• For Spring entry, apply by 1 November

Supporting documents

As part of your application, you will be asked to upload digital copies of:

• A colour copy of your official academic transcript, in English
• A colour copy of your English language certificate, issued within the last 5 years (if English is not your first language)
• A colour copy of the picture page of your passport
• A personal statement outlining why you are interested
• Details of any previous UK visas

You may also be asked to provide:

• A letter of recommendation from a professor, in English, on university letterhead and signed in pen

*Gap year applicants must upload a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counsellor.

ISEP Direct students

If you are applying through ISEP Direct, after your application has been accepted on the ISEP portal, you will be contacted by Essex Abroad to complete our application.

We are committed to ensuring that every student can feel safe and secure no matter what their circumstances. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Essex Abroad office if you would like to discuss your individual needs.

Health, wellbeing and disability support

Our student support services have a wide range of resources to support you throughout your studies at Essex. There is a space on our application form for you to disclose any disability, health condition, mental health condition or learning needs that you would like to make us aware of. We will then put you in touch with our student support team, who will work with you to ensure you are fully supported while at Essex.

Anything you tell us will be treated in confidence and will not affect your study abroad application. We cannot share this information with your family, host institution or other external party without your permission.

Information about the mental and emotional health support available can be found on our website.

For information about accessibility on campus and support services for students with disabilities or learning difficulties, please see our website.

Under 18

If you will be under 18 when you start your studies at Essex, our student support team offers additional support to help you adjust to university life. Take a look at their website for more information about the resources available to you.

Students under the age of 18 are required to live in University accommodation. You can choose from a range of accommodation options, including a room in a single gender flat.

The Residence Life team provides support for all students living in accommodation and this includes students who are under 18. You will be allocated a Residents’ Assistant who is a senior student who you can contact if you have any questions or concerns ‘out of hours’.

Students with dependents

If you are studying with us and have a family with you, there is a wide range of information, support and advice available.

Some helpful resources can be found on our students with children and dependants of international students pages.

Students with dependents are encouraged to email Essex Abroad to get more information about support services and accommodation options.