News

Strong rankings reflect Essex's growing reputation

Essex departments have again figured strongly in the latest University league tables published in the national media.

In The Guardian's tables, published last month, Essex was ranked among the UK's top ten in eight different subject areas. The Guardian produced rankings for a total of 151 higher education institutions.

Leading the way was Sports Science, ranked second, ahead of well-known centres such as Loughborough. Also figuring among the top ten were Electrical and Electronic Engineering (4th), History of Art (4th), Philosophy (5th), Law (6th) Economics (7th), Politics (9th), and Sociology (10th).

The Guardian's subject tables take account of six factors, including teaching scores, A-level points, student:staff ratios, spend per student and job prospects.

In The Times' league tables, Essex was highly ranked in Politics (5th), Economics (9th), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (9th), History of Art (10th), Sociology (11th) and Law (17th). Overall, The Times ranked Essex 25th out of 101 universities, up from 31st last year. The Times' table is based on nine aspects, including teaching, research, facilities spending and A-level scores.

Student volunteers honoured

Student volunteers at the University were recently rewarded for their hard work and commitment at the Students' Union's fourth Annual Recognition of Service Award ceremony.

The event was held in the Lecture Theatre Building and followed by a reception at Café Mondo. It was attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivor Crewe, who congratulated the volunteers on their achievements, as well as Students' Union president, Gozi Nwachukwu.

Over the last year students have been involved in volunteering projects across the University campus, in particular at RED, the Advice Centre and also in student-staff liaison roles in a number of departments. Prizes for the most active student councillors were awarded to Dan de Sousa, Richard Doman and Hannah Essex, while Bethany Morgan, Rebecca Tillett and Hannah Essex were voted the Student Representatives who had achieved the most.

The prize for best overall volunteer went to Mike Player for his commitment to the Students' Union and willingness to get involved in anything that is thrown at him! Joe Jones from RED and Yoshimoto Ishida from the Green Alternative Society were also honourably mentioned.

A special award for helping to shape the Students' Union's policy on access for disabled students was presented to Jon Hastie.

Essex Super Fair

During June the University will also be hosting the Essex Super Fair. Organised by Essex Careers Service, the Super Fair will be held over two days on 27 and 28 June in the sports hall and in a marquee on the sports field.

The event brings more than 6,000 sixth formers from schools and colleges across the county together to find out about higher education. Universities from across the UK will be represented allowing the students the chance to find out more about the courses they offer. There will also be a series of talks throughout the two days on topics such as student finance and how to apply to university as well as individual subject talks.

To find out more about the Super Fair contact Susan Tupper on 01206 873424 or e-mail sctupper@essex.ac.uk. Click here for details of how to find the Super Fair at the University of Essex

Also in the printed July edition of Wyvern:

• Do you sing in the bath or hum when you are happy?!
• University data to aid FE teaching
• Summer of widening participation at Essex