Welcoming our students

We are working in partnership with the Students’ Union to get ready to welcome all of our new and returning students to campus this year, with a vibrant and enhanced on-campus experience, which will include a series of in person events to help them settle in, make friends, and get used to life on campus.

This approach draws on all our experience from 2021/22 but with a returned focus to in-person activity to make sure that students have the best start to their student experience with us!

Our on-campus activities will focus on departmental inductions, supported by a range of wider opportunities for students to get involved, make connections, and get to know Essex and our Students’ Union.

Here’s what all our new and returning students can expect:

Online Registration and Welcome

Students will be able to register online from 7 September and then they’ll get access to our Online Welcome Programme on Moodle. This is where students will be able to find all the most up-to-date information, support and advice about starting at Essex. This year students will have access to an enhanced level of content, such as videos, improved graphics key content including:

• information about their department and departmental forums. These will help students and staff to get to know each other and network before they arrive on campus.
• an introduction to our values, including an understanding of our expectations about their own behaviour at Essex, linked to key areas like consent, harassment, and our code of conduct.
• an outline of our Students’ Union and the ways in which it can support them during their time with us. 

Activities on campus

This year, we’ll be providing our students with a range of high-quality teaching and social activities when they arrive on campus to make sure that everyone feels part of our community.

Just like with their teaching, we’re aiming for an excellent in-person experience, providing a high quality and safe student experience on campus, including social events and networking. A variety of events will run in Welcome Week from 3 – 7 October 2022 and will be supported with ongoing activities throughout the first six weeks of term. More detail about events can be found on our events calendar.

Welcome activities will be run at all three campuses in collaboration with the Students’ Union. Registration schedules have been published and Registration Hubs will operate in Colchester and Southend until 21 October 2022.

How to get involved

We are looking for volunteers to help with this year’s Right to Study checks and Welcome activities. This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on the experience of our new and returning students at the start of their journey with the University. There are a variety of opportunities across our campuses and for a range of times, if you are interested, just sign up to get involved

Useful links

• Welcome webpages
• Starting at Essex following the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak
• COVID-19 information on our Student Directory
• New student registration
• Our Online Welcome Programme
• Technology Enhanced Learning
• Sign up to get involved