The Guardian University Guide 2027 has ranked the University of Essex in the top 10 in the UK in seven subjects.
Essex is ranked joint 3rd in 'drama and dance' and 'social work'. Other top 10 rankings include 4th for 'anatomy and physiology', 4th for 'mental health nursing', 5th for 'hospitality, event management and tourism', 6th for 'international relations' and 8th for 'economics'.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Frances Bowen said: “I am really delighted to see we’re in the top 10 for subjects stretching across the arts, sciences and social sciences.
“This performance is built on the fantastically positive feedback we receive from our students so I would like to pay tribute to all the staff who help deliver the student experience which is so valued by our community.
“We will continue to listen to feedback from our students and work with our Students’ Union to make sure an Essex education meets the growing expectations of students and helps them develop the skills they need for success in the future.”
Essex is ranked 23rd overall in the Guide – the 2nd highest ranked university after Cambridge in the Eastern Region. Other highly ranked Essex subjects in the UK top 25 are biology, nursing, politics, sociology and social policy, mathematics, physiotherapy, and electrical and electronic engineering.
Chris Main, Director of East 15 Acting School, said: "East 15 is pleased to be in the top three for drama and dance for the second year running. As the highest-ranked conservatoire in consecutive years, we are delighted the School's dedication to practical training is recognised.
"East 15’s exceptional staff pride themselves on developing vocational skills, while fostering the creativity of artists hungry to make their mark in the world. Accolades such as this reflect our commitment to rigorous studio-based learning, the development of professional skills and programmes that put the student at the centre of the learning experience."
Dr Sean Seeger, Head of the School of Language, Literature, and Media, said: “Drama has long been a key plank of Essex’s arts and humanities offering. Here in the School of Language, Literature, and Media, we are delighted to see the hard work and commitment to excellence among our drama staff reflected in this wonderful result.”
Dr Adrian Martin, Deputy Head of Edge Hotel School, welcomed the recognition for its approach to training the next generation of leaders within the hospitality sector. He said: "It's great to see the Edge Hotel School's unique way of 'learning by doing' moving us into the top five nationally, it would be even better to get that top spot!"
Dr Aaron Wyllie, social work and social justice programme lead, said: "We are proud to have been ranked 3rd for social work. This reflects the investment and commitment we make to every student who joins us on a social work programme, and it belongs equally to our diverse team of academic and professional services staff, our experts by experience, and our practice partner organisations, whose knowledge, commitment and care make this achievement possible."
