International students

United States of America

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Emily Robinson
Hi, I'm Emily and I look after our North American students coming to the University of Essex. We at Essex love our students from the US, we currently have over 100 students from the States and we are delighted that you are considering joining them. Below is some country specific information that I hope you find helpful and please do contact me with any questions at americas@essex.ac.uk.
Emily Robinson United States country contact

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Application information

Entry requirements

Undergraduate

Most of our Undergraduate Bachelor degree courses will consider either:

  • 23 in ACT plus High School Graduation Diploma with GPA 3.0:
  • SAT with a minimum of 1100 out of 1600 with 550 in each test plus High School Graduation Diploma with GPA 3.0, or;
  • Minimum of 3 APTs with two at 3 or above and one at 4 or above.

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

We understand that as a result of the pandemic there may have been changes to the availability of tests and examinations in the US. As you submit your application, please provide any test scores that you already have, as well as listing any future tests you intend on taking. If you will be unable to take these tests, please contact americas@essex.ac.uk, quoting your UCAS ID, to discuss your individual situation. Our Admissions Office will be able to advise on alternative options, and may be able to consider other evidence for students who will be unable to sit examinations.

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 Taught

Many of our Postgraduate Taught Masters will consider applicants with GPA 2.50 or above 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 pgadmit@essex.ac.uk


Postgraduate Research

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

Scholarships and funding

Our Vice-Chancellor's Global Talent Scholarship is a competitive scholarship offering successful candidates a 50% tuition fee discount on their tuition fees for the first year of study. The scholarship is open to undergraduate and master's applicants. Please visit the scholarship link for further information and to access the application form. 

Our Academic Excellence International Masters Scholarship scheme offers a £3,000 tuition fee discount to masters students from the United States achieving a CGPA 3.25 or above in their undergraduate degree. Please visit the link for further details about eligibility.

Essex is approved to receive U.S. Federal Aid/Direct Loans, GI Bill and Marshall Scholarships

Please visit our Scholarships pages for information about additional funding opportunities.

Student life

Our largest campus is located just outside the historic city of Colchester, which is an hour away from London. It's a vibrant and international campus, with a range of services within the safety of a parkland location. Our smaller campus in Southend brings together a central city location and the best of British seaside life, and our East 15 Acting School campus in Loughton is a purpose-built haven just 30 minutes from Central London. Find out more about life on our three campuses.

At Essex, we encourage students to get involved inside and outside of the classroom. Whether that's joining our Model UN society, learning a new language, playing sport or getting a part time job, there's lots of opportunities to develop your skills, meet people and start new, or continue existing interests. See our range of societies and sports clubs.

Considering where you could live is an important factor when choosing that university to be 'home'. In Colchester, we have a range of accommodation to suit your budget and needs, all within walking distance to campus. Even better - it's guaranteed for international students, and for the duration of your course if you'll be joining us as an undergraduate.

Meet with us

In country

8 March 2023 - NACAC Fair, New Jersey

12 March 2023 - NACAC Fair, Rochester

13 March 2023 - NACAC Fair, Syracuse

14 March 2023 - NYSACAC Fair, Syracuse

15 - 16 March 2023 - NACAC Fair, Buffalo

2 April 2023 - AIMS University Fair, Miami

20 April 2023 - Richmond College Fair, Richmond VA

23 April 2023 - NACAC Fair, New York

26 April 2023 - Southern Westchester Fair, New York

26 April 2023 - We'll be visiting San Diego on this date, please get in touch if you'd like to meet us to find out more about Essex

27 April 2023 - Texas IB Fair, Hurst TX

27 - 28 April 2023 - NACAC Fair, Los Angeles

2 - 3 May 2023 - NACAC Fair, Boston

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us at americas@essex.ac.uk with any questions you may have.

Chat to us online

You can also book a virtual meeting with us or chat to our staff and students too.

 

Hear from our US students and alumni

Jonathan Hendry
Howdy! My name is Jonathan and I’m a first year European Studies and Politics (with a year abroad) student from the Tennessee. I visited the UK first in 2013 on the International Air Cadet Exchange and forthwith fell in love with it and returned for two tours in the U.S Air Force. Obviously when choosing a University, my first choice was here, and I couldn’t be more excited to start my studies again here in Essex. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Essex so far, I am quite active in several societies around campus. The show choir, (which yes, is just like Pitch Perfect and Glee), The LGBT+ society, Model United Nations, the Harry Potter society, Theatre Arts (where I most recently played an Ozian in the Christmas Pantomime), the Green Impact group which supports environmentally and socially sustainable practices, and Cricket. The thing I love most about Essex is how you can get involved in so many extra curricular activities and societies even if that’s not what you're majoring in and the travel opportunities from here are endless. Since getting here in October I’ve have already visited 11 countries for less than $100 each. I would absolutely recommend anyone to come here! Whether it be for a term, a year, or your whole degree; it’s a life changing experience and one of the best choices I’ve ever made! 
Jonathan Hendry BA EUROPEAN STUDIES AND POLITICS (WITH YEAR ABROAD)
Sara Lessman
I graduated with an MFA in Acting from East 15 Acting School in 2018. Following my studies, I was able to connect with Essex Startups in hopes of launching a business, BlankSlateBody. Since day one, Essex Startups has been incredibly helpful as a resource: offering workshops, mentoring, goal setting opportunities, and even funding. Without Essex Startups, I'm not sure where I'd be in my startup journey. Since beginning working with them, I finalised and released my first product, I feel more confident than ever marketing myself, and I have a support system I can go to with questions, ideas, and concerns. Whatever business idea you have, I highly recommend connecting with them. 
Sara Lessman MFA ACTING (2018)
Emily Robinson
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Emily Robinson United States country contact