Student support

The mental and emotional health of our student community at Essex is our priority and we offer a range of services:

• Colchester campus Wellbeing Drop-ins at the Student Support desk on the 1st floor of the Silberrad Student Centre
• Loughton campus Student Services Hub and Wellbeing Drop-in is on the ground floor of Hatfield House 
• Southend Student Services Hub is on the second floor of the Forum
• One to one counselling is available for those who need it
• Out of hours support is available through our Student Wellbeing Support Line
• Check out our Wellbeing Blogs for further insights and information
• Get in touch by email to wellbeing@essex.ac.uk

As a student with diabetes you may be concerned about how to manage this during your time at university. At Essex we have a range of diabetes support in place for you:

• Our on-campus heath centre is located in the middle of Colchester Campus. We advise you sign up at this GP Practice so you can attend appointments with ease. The local pharmacy offer delivery to the Students’ Union too. This means you can see a doctor, receive a prescription and collect it all without leaving campus. You can keep your specialist from home if you would like, or use a specialist here. The decision is yours.
• The on-campus health centre work closely with our academic section to help you manage your diabetes appropriately during the exam period.
• If you require insulin our accommodation team will arrange for you to have a small fridge in your room, so you can store your insulin properly, away from communal areas.
• We offer monthly peer support groups for students with diabetes. This informal lunch provides you with the opportunity to meet with Dr Emily Foster (GP based at Colchester Campus), nurse practitioners and specialist nurses, as well with other students with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Many of our students find this peer to peer support useful within their studies.
• North East Essex, where Colchester is located, is the leading area for diabetes data in the country, so rest assured you’re in good hands.

We have a range of healthcare services covering everything from access to medical help, transport and mobility, and academic assistance for those with particular needs.

• Our Colchester Campus has a health centre, operated by local Rowhedge GP surgery, where you can register with a doctor and get medical attention
• For Southend and Loughton, you can find your nearest doctor’s surgery on the NHS Choices app  
• We provide comprehensive support for students with Diabetes and are are committed to ensuring that students with diabetes receive the care and assistance they need to thrive during their time at university. Our comprehensive support network, encompasses clinical care, prescription services, accommodations, exam support, peer groups, and university-wide resources. Whether you're seeking regular medical check-ups, advice on managing your condition in academic settings, or simply a supportive community, we are here to help you navigate your journey with diabetes while pursuing your academic goals. Explore the details to learn more about the services and resources available to you.
• We have services to support students with dyslexia and specific learning differences

We understand the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on you, and we have put a number of measures in place to support our Essex community:

• We offer subsidised cheap hot meals
• Visit our Money pages for details of loans, bursaries and other funding available
• There are paid jobs on campus, including a number of roles that are great for your pocket and your career development.
• Find out more about the cost of living support we offer

Here at Essex, our focus is on supporting your success and providing whatever help we can with your studies:

• Academic Skills Workshops from essay writing to using Excel
• Writing support for undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers
• Exam support, including help with revision techniques, drop-in sessions, one to one support and guides on how to prepare
• Visit our study support pages or contact us at skills@essex.ac.uk

At Essex, we make sure that all students can enjoy equality of opportunity and we do that through a range of services from adapted accommodation to learning and study skills support:

• Step-free routes around our campuses: Colchester and Southend
• Adapted accommodation for students with particular needs
• Specialist support for students with learning difficulties, mobility issues, or visual or hearing impairments. 
• Learning and exam support 
• A support programme for students with diabetes with regular meetings and on-campus specialist care

At Colchester we have an on-campus day nursery with priority given to Essex students with children.

Residence Life is part of our Wellbeing and Inclusivity service and our Residence Assistants are there to help you settle in to your accommodation, answer your questions and organise events to welcome you in to the Essex community.

Our Essex community is one of the most international in the UK, and we offer a range of practical support to our global family:

• Academic English support classes
• English classes for dependents
• Advice about working in the UK during your studies and the types of visa available
• We have communities and activities for international students
• Essex is a University of sanctuary which means we are committed to creating a safe environment for refugees and asylum seekers 

If you're over 21 at the start of your course, you will automatically be a member of our vibrant mature student community.

We offer a range of support and networking opportunities to mature students including peer mentoring and support, events and membership of our Mature Students Network.

Check out further details of what we offer on our Mature and Part-time Students page