Essex still one of the best for student satisfaction

The National Student Survey (NSS) results show Essex is in the top 15 for overall student satisfaction for the sixth year running.

Essex is 14th out of all English mainstream universities* with 87% of students saying they are satisfied with their course – above the national average of 83%.

Essex is top in the country for overall satisfaction among students in art history and film studies, and in the top 25% for a further five subjects: biology, drama, economics, history and psychology.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education Professor Madeline Eacott said: “I am delighted that we are once again in the top 15.

“Offering a transformational education to our students is vital to Essex and so in recent years we’ve invested significantly in what we offer to our students, including outstanding new teaching spaces, student accommodation and sport facilities. 

“These efforts to enhance our students’ experience have been recognised with the award of the highest rating of Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), as well as in national league tables, with Essex climbing six places in the Complete University Guide and being ranked 22nd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. 

“The NSS represents an important way for us to assess how well we are meeting students’ expectations, and I am pleased this result shows the value they place on an Essex education.”

Students’ Union president Tancrede Chartier said: “We’re delighted to see our University being recognised nationally yet again for its incredible work in progressing students' transformative education.

“As the Students’ Union we’re incredibly proud to see that the work we’ve delivered over the years has had a significant impact in supporting our students past and present. The latest results offer further evidence of the exciting things that we’re achieving as a result of our ambitious partnership with the University.”

Student successes

A record-breaking 5,117 students graduated from Essex this year, each with their own unique story to tell.

• Sofie Samuelsson  became our 100,000th graduate and now works for a web design company on our Knowledge Gateway research and technology park.
• Daniella Otuagomah’s placement year working on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten changed her plans for the future.
• Jake Millar’s award-winning dissertation on Harwich’s connection to the Mayflower – the ship which famously transported pilgrims to America 400 years ago - will help shape the content for a new exhibition.
• Emily O’Neill’s experiences at Essex have helped her win a place on a training programme at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
• See more Essex stories.

Our dual commitment to education and research

Essex is in the top 25 for research quality in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and in a very select group of universities that excel at both education and research. 

For our students this means the research-led education they receive is of the highest quality, delivered by academics who are world leaders in their fields.

We’ve recently been named Top 40 for teaching excellence in the Times Higher Education Europe Teaching Rankings 2018.

Investing for the future

We’re about to invest a further £100 million into further improving facilities, including a £12 million Innovation Centre which will open in 2019 at our Colchester Campus, offering a new home to student entrepreneurs.