Annual Review 2009-10
Public benefit
Teaching and research
Students benefit greatly from studying at a
research-intensive university. Major investment continues to improve the
facilities and this year's National Student Survey placed Essex in the top 20
nationally for student satisfaction.
In 2009-10 the University's student population was
9,723 full time equivalents, who were registered on one of 818 programmes. A
total of 1,749 first degrees (foundation and bachelor degrees) were awarded,
along with 1,322 higher degrees (masters and doctorates).
Vice-Chancellor Colin Riordan receives the Queen's Anniversary Prize.
The last Research Assessment Exercise placed the
University ninth nationally for the quality of its research, confirming its
worldwide reputation. Projects being undertaken by Essex academics are at the
forefront of helping to understand society, tackle key health problems, protect
the environment and improve existing technology.
The Global Challenge initiative has established four
interdisciplinary research projects to address issues of worldwide significance.
These will focus on how to achieve sustainable growth at a local, national and
global level; finding solutions to global threats such as climate change and the
depletion of natural resources; states in transition after the ending of violent
conflicts or repressive regimes; and how to adapt the internet to the challenges
of the 21st century.
During the year 106 research projects were completed
and 207 research projects were in progress at the end of the year.
The scope of the University's highly-respected
research centres and studies show the breadth of issues addressed. These
include: the British Election Study, the Interdisciplinary Centre for
Environment and Society, the Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees, the Coral
Reef Research Unit, the Human Rights Centre, the Institute for Democracy and
Conflict Resolution, the Institute for Social and Economic Research and the
Sports, Performance and Fatigue Unit.
Increasing access
Thousands of students visit the University to learn
about higher education and the Widening Participation team works with more than
100 schools and colleges across Essex plus Suffolk and east London.
Students and staff visit schools to raise awareness of
higher education amongst pupils and their parents. Insight into Higher Education
days are held at the University while student ambassadors work as 'associates'
in local secondary schools as part of the Aim Higher Associates Scheme.
Schools also benefit from lectures, tours and
laboratory and research placements organised by staff to link with the National
Curriculum.
Summer schools cover different subjects including
drama and IT. Some are particularly designed for students accompanied by a
parent or carer, young people in care and people with learning difficulties.
The University's success in widening participation is
shown by the background of our students 17.5 per cent of under 21-year-old
students are from low participation post codes (2008-09 entry data) and 38.9 per
cent of under 21-year-old students are from social classes 4,5,6 and 7 (2008-09
entry data).
Impact in the community
The University is committed to sharing its expertise
locally, nationally and internationally.
Public lectures, performances, conferences and events
are organised at all campuses plus local venues. Major events hosted by the
University include Race for Life at the Colchester Campus and the Polish Arts
Festival in Southend.
The Lakeside Theatre in Colchester, Clifftown Studios
in Southend and Corbett Theatre at Loughton are all highly valued facilities
hosting numerous public performances.
There is also a year-round programme of events and
exhibitions at the Art Exchange, the University Gallery, which informs its
extensive work with local schools and colleges.
In Colchester the Philosophy Cafes, Twilight Zone
Cafes, Language Learning Cafes and Cafe Scientifique have all helped increase
informal links between academics and the public and events.
In Southend, the University has organised with partner
organisations extensive free business support workshops and their value has been
shown by their huge popularity with companies in the area.
More than 300 students have signed up with the
Students' Union to take part in voluntary work. Student-led projects include the
Street Law and Human Rights Education initiative in local schools and the Essex
Law Clinic and Business Dynamos projects. Among the many charities supported by
both students and staff is the Talking Newspaper for the visually impaired.
Other important public resources include the Albert
Sloman Library which holds many internationally important archives. The Library
also puts on public display artworks from the University of Essex Collection of
Latin American Art (UECLAA).
The University's charitable aims
The University's Royal Charter sets out the objectives which
form its charitable purpose
'...to advance education,
scholarship, knowledge and understanding by teaching and
research for the benefit of individuals and society at
large'.
Members of Council are the trustees of the University and
decision making takes due regard to the Charity Commission's
guidelines on charitable purpose and public benefit, in
particular The Advancement of Education for the Public
Benefit (Charity Commission, December 2008) and Public
Benefit and Fee Charging (Charity Commission, December
2008).
The University's work covers many charitable purposes
recognised by the Charities Act 2006 alongside the core
focus on the advancement of education. This includes the
advancement of health, the advancement of citizenship and
community development, the advancement of arts, culture,
heritage and science, the advancement of amateur sports, the
advancement of human rights and conflict resolution and the
advancement of environmental protection or improvement.
The University admits students solely according to ability
without reference to ethnic origin, class, religion,
sexuality or any other characteristic. The University's
Access Agreement with the Office of Fair Access (OFFA)
ensures no student is deterred from applying to the
University on the grounds of financial hardship.
Bursaries are provided to aid students from low income
households and the University undertakes and funds a large
amount of outreach work. This includes school and college
visits, supporting students with disabilities and supporting
students with non-traditional entry qualifications. There
were 2,550 bursaries and scholarships awarded during 2009-10
to students studying at the University.
