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With students from 140 countries, Essex is the world in one place.

This page provides information about Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. If you're interested in Pakistan, please visit our dedicated Pakistan country page.

Bangladesh

Previous university/college study is required in addition to local high school qualifications for our Undergraduate Bachelor degree courses.
We accept a number of international qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate with the majority of our courses requiring grades between 29 - 32, or the SAT with the majority of our courses requiring a minimum of 1100 out of 1600 with 550 in each test.

We also offer a range of Foundation Programmes which can lead to entry to our undergraduate degrees, please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Some courses have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at admit@essex.ac.uk. 

India

Most of our Undergraduate Bachelor degree courses will consider an average of 60% of the best four subjects from Indian high school qualifications. If you achieve 70% in English from CBSE or CISCE exam board qualification, you will not normally require a separate English language test score.

We also offer a range of Foundation Programmes which can lead to entry to our undergraduate degrees, please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Some courses have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at admit@essex.ac.uk.

Sri Lanka  

Most of our Undergraduate Bachelor degree courses will consider BBB from Sri Lanka Advanced Level.

Some courses have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at admit@essex.ac.uk. 

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available if you do not meet these grades. Please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Nepal

Previous university/college study is required in addition to local high school qualifications for our Undergraduate Bachelor degree courses.

We accept a number of international qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate with the majority of our courses requiring a grade between 29 - 32 or the SAT with the majority of our courses requiring a minimum of 1100 out of 1600 with 550 in each test.

Some courses have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at admit@essex.ac.uk.

We also offer a range of Foundation Programmes which can lead to entry to our undergraduate degrees, please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Postgraduate Taught (Masters)

Bangladesh

Many of our Postgraduate Taught Masters will consider applicants with 55% or B- or CGPA 2.75 minimum from a four year undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification. Some courses and departments have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at pgadmit@essex.ac.uk

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available if you do not meet these grades. Please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

India

Many of our Postgraduate Taught Masters will consider applicants with 50% or 5.3/10 from Band 1 or Band 2 institutions/ 55% or 5.8/10 from all other institutions from Bachelor degree. Some courses and departments have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available through our partner Kaplan International Colleges if you do not meet these grades. Please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Sri Lanka

Many of our Postgraduate Taught Masters will consider applicants with B or 2:1 from Bachelor Special Degree (4 years' duration). Some courses and departments have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available if you do not meet these grades. Please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Nepal

Many of our Postgraduate Taught Masters will consider applicants with a minimum grade of 60% (second division) or GPA 2.70 from Bachelor Degree. Some courses and departments have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team pgadmiat t@essex.ac.uk.

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available if you do not meet these grades. Please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Postgraduate Research

For entry to Research degrees, please refer to the entry requirements for the degree that you are interested in. 

An undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:2 (see the grade information above) and a master's degree with a good grade are required for most PhD programmes, in addition to a well-developed research proposal in a field in which we can offer supervision. Please read through our information for research degree applicants and check the course details for your chosen programme for further information about entry criteria.

Our student societies

India

The Indian society is committed to bringing Indian culture closer to you, creating a home away from home through events that celebrate its essence. From lively social gatherings to cultural festivities featuring food and traditions, they aim to make your time at Essex truly unforgettable.


Explore the Indian society

Sri Lanka

Join this vibrant Sri Lankan community that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka! Take part in exciting cultural events and community initiatives while connecting with fellow students who share a passion for Sri Lankan traditions. Whether you're a Sri Lankan seeking a sense of connection or simply curious about our culture, this welcoming society is open to all. Let's come together to explore, celebrate, and create meaningful experiences!


Explore the Sri Lankan society

Nepal

Fun fact: Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is located in Nepal, and Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is also in Nepal!

The Nepalese Society is a fantastic way to connect with new people and explore Nepal's rich culture. Open to everyone, whether you're Nepalese or simply curious about our traditions, we invite you to join us in celebrating and sharing the beauty of Nepal.

Since its establishment in 2014, the Nepalese society has been dedicated to showcasing Nepal's vibrant culture, with its 123 languages, diverse traditions, and multi-ethnic communities—universally recognized for their warm hospitality and smiles. Come and be a part of this wonderful community!


Explore the Nepalese society

Scholarships and funding


Our Essex Global Talent Scholarship, worth 50% of the first-year tuition fee, is available for international undergraduate or master’s students.

International Baccalaureate Excellence Scholarship offers £2,000 scholarships to students who start at Essex in 2025-2026 and achieve academic excellence in their International Baccalaureate. 

Academic Excellence International Masters Scholarship offers up to £7,000 scholarships to international students who took undergraduate degrees overseas or in the UK and are self-funding their postgraduate studies. Please visit the link for further details about deadlines and eligibility. 

Our South Asia Scholarship offers £4,000 scholarships to undergraduate students from South Asia. Please visit the link for further details about deadlines and eligibility.

Please visit our Scholarships pages for information about additional funding opportunities

Masters with Professional Placements

If you'd like to put your skills and ideas to practice, we offer a range of two-year Masters degrees including a professional work placement. These courses are offered in a range of different fields of study and will give you a competitive edge in applying your studies in the workplace. Browse the courses and find out more about the opportunities available.

Please note that you’ll be responsible for securing your own work placement, but if you change your mind or decide not to do your placement, or if you are not able to secure a placement, you can start your dissertation earlier and complete your Masters in the first year.

Working during your studies as part of established placements, part-time job postings, industry networking and start-up support are just some of the many opportunities available for you to boost your career prospects while studying at Essex. Find out more about our Careers and employability services and how you can benefit from these during your time at Essex and even after you graduate.

Post-study work visa

You can find out more about the Graduate Immigration Route on our immigration webpages. To find out more about how we can help you prepare for a successful career, have a look at our employability and careers services.

Hear from our students

Studying at Essex brings a unique blend of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and innovation. The University is known for its cutting-edge research in various fields, including AI. My ultimate career goal is to use AI and technology to create solutions that positively impact society. I aspire to contribute to innovations that enhance accessibility, promote sustainability, and improve people's lives.
Abu Junaeid Shoaib, Bangladesh msc artificial intelligence
I was particularly excited to begin studying at Essex because of its excellent academic reputation and first-class facilities. Within my school, I have been provided with a mentor to help me adapt to studying at university level throughout my first year which was very helpful for me. Socially I settled in to life at Essex very quickly and now feel very at home. I have built good relationships with members of staff and my fellow students and, as an international student, I have integrated into the strong community atmosphere comfortably. Before coming to Essex I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for a career, but studying here has pushed me to reach all of my ambitions and I’m now clear on what I want to do when I graduate.
Protima Dasgupta, Bangladesh bsc biomedical science
Being a student at Essex is truly an experience of a lifetime. It is a place that brings many cultures together and the atmosphere on campus is always spectacular. The Students’ Union makes sure that there is never a dull day on campus by organizing various activities and events across the university. Colchester is a beautiful city in the countryside and one of my favourite parts about living in Colchester is its scenic nature filled with lush greenery. With a beautiful lake and hundreds of acres of parkland the university looks like a scene out of a movie. The university provides immense support to international students from finding accommodation and careers support to safeguarding our mental health. The university provides on-campus accommodation for as long as you are a student at the university, which is a rare case when compared to other universities in the UK. There’s a wide range of options to choose from, like en-suites and self-contained apartments. Choosing the University of Essex among many other universities is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and my experience here at Essex is definitely the university experience that any student could ever ask for!
Piyara Pahanmi, Sri Lanka BSC Psychology
The university and its student union ensure that diversity is celebrated. Hence, there are multiple events daily, providing students with abundant opportunities to try new things such as celebrating worldwide festivals, being a part of clubs, sports teams, and volunteering. Colchester is a pleasant city that has everything you need and it’s a close commute to London and other coastal towns which are great to visit. I stay at the University Quays, it’s a quaint place that’s very spacious. It’s a few minutes away from the University but I love walking so it’s a positive for me. The location of the Quays is very convenient as its very close to the stores, bus stop and fast-food restaurants. My flatmates, however, make my experience at the Quays the best! My course is great, they teach you everything you need to know as a Speech and Language Therapy student. My department actively teaches us updated and recent evidence-based practice along with setting expectations of what to expect when we become newly qualified practitioners. Overall, I have been enjoying my two years here and grown to love my field. The Masters in Speech and Language Therapy programme is regulated by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Health Care Professions Council which establishes the standards of practice within the University. In addition, I also received an academic excellence scholarship for my first year of study which helped me immensely.
Raidha Fayaz, Sri Lanka MSC SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY
My economics teacher at home told me what I should expect about coming to the UK and also advised to study at Essex. At university you are more independent so you have to get used to doing more things on your own but I met lots of people quickly, including other Sri Lankans, and that helped me settle in university quite quickly. Essex is a very international university and I've met so many people from all parts of the world. 
Lakshini de Silva, Sri Lanka BSc Economics
The Campus is a melting pot of cultures from across the globe, and the commendable acceptance of all cultures creates a welcoming environment. From the convenience of stores, bars, canteens, and study spaces to the tranquillity of the lake, the vibrancy of the theatre, and the availability of excellent accommodations, Faith Centre and gym facilities, the Campus provides a well-rounded and enriching experience.
Tooba Nirza, India Msc congnitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, 2023

Meet us in the region

Unfortunately, we do not have any visits to your country planned in the near future.

We have a regional office based in New Delhi, so please don’t hesitate to visit us or get in touch with your country contact named below if you have any questions.

Bangladesh: Sami Mohammad. Email: mohammad.sami@essex.ac.uk

India: Email: india@essex.ac.uk

Sri Lanka: Thanuja Raveendren. Email: thanuja.raveendren@essex.ac.uk 

Nepal: South Asia Team. Email: india@essex.ac.uk 

Two students talking in the SU Bar at our Southend Campus
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Fancy discovering what student life at Essex is like? Want to learn more about our international community? Come and talk to some of our students and staff online to get answers to all of your questions.

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Sandeep Sharma South Asia Regional Manager
English Support Classes
We offer free classes to help you develop your English language and academic skills. We also offer free English classes to the dependants of international students and staff through our ECDIS programme.
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