If you've made an application to us you might be invited to an Applicant Day. Your invitation will be sent via email so please keep an eye out for it. For most of our courses you will be invited to attend an interview with your department as part of your Applicant Day.
Our Applicant Days provide the opportunity to meet your department and find out about life at Essex in more detail before making your final decision through UCAS.
Your Applicant Day will either be at our Colchester or Southend Campus depending on which course you have chosen to study. Remember to double check your invite or search for your course to make sure you visit the right campus.
If you're an international applicant, please email us if you would like to attend an Applicant Day visit@essex.ac.uk.
Accepting your place
We have limited capacity for each Applicant Day so please reply to your Applicant Day invitation as soon as possible. Once you have received your invitation email you will be asked to set up your myEssex portal:
- Head to www.essex.ac.uk/apply/newlogin
- Complete the registration form
Once you have access to your portal, you will be able to view your Applicant Day Subject Guide which contains your programme for the day, interview guidance (if applicable) and travel information.
If you have any problems setting up your myEssex portal, please contact our IT Helpdesk: it.helpdesk@essex.ac.uk
Can't make your Applicant Day?
Don't worry, departments run various Applicant Days - just head to your myEssex portal to request a change of date. Alternatively, if you do not want to attend an Applicant Day, you can decline our invitation via your portal.
Colchester Campus programme
For most courses, the Applicant Day will run from 10.30am to 4.00pm. You can find a full programme for the day in your Applicant Day Subject guide on your myEssex portal so please check this carefully.
For courses offered by our School of Health and Social Care, your Applicant Day will feature a different programme so again, please head to your myEssex portal to read this carefully ahead of your visit.
10.30am - 12.45pm Experience Essex
This is a non-compulsory session aimed at applicants and their guests who have not visited the campus before or those who would like another look around - everyone is welcome. During this session you can view accommodation, tour our campus, attend general talks and chat to representatives from the following areas:
- Student Finance
- Accommodation
- Admissions
- Essex Abroad
- Library Services
- Employability and Careers
- Languages for All
If you do not want to attend this session, please arrive by 12.30pm instead. Please note, unfortunately you will not be able to undertake any of the activities mentioned above outside of this session.
12.45pm - 1.15pm Essex Education Talk
Following this brief talk you will be split into your individual subjects and guided to the next location, so please make sure to arrive on campus in time to attend this session.
1.15 pm - 3.45pm Departmental Activities
Each subject's programme for the day is unique so check out your Applicant Day Subject Guide on your myEssex portal to find out what's in store.
If you have an interview as part of your Applicant Day, this will usually take place during this part of the day. If you have an individual interview, your interview time will be confirmed at the start of the session. Please note, we're unable to interview you outside of these times.
Southend Campus programme
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to your friendly Southend campus. The applicant day will comprise of a welcome talk, a chance to find out more about the campus, departmental activities and an interview.
Please check the subject guide found on your myEssex Portal to find out more about your day.
The car park underneath University Square student accommodation is currently closed for maintenance works. We would recommend parking in Warrior Square Car Park (SS1 2NQ) which is a 3 minute walk from The Forum. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Your interview
Interviews are a necessary and compulsory part of the application process for:
- Social Work
- Oral Health
- Nursing
If you're an Essex Business School or Therapeutic Care applicant, we strongly advise you attend the applicant day and interview. It gives you a great opportunity to meet potential fellow students and lecturers, and will help to strengthen your application and offer.
Accommodation
If you need somewhere to stay before or after your Applicant Day, we have guest accommodation in our University Square student accommodation in Southend. The current room rate is £40 per person, per night and can be booked and paid for here.
Applicant Day Travel Bursary
We’d love to meet as many of our applicants as possible, so if you attend an Applicant Day you may be eligible for our Applicant Day Travel Bursary to provide a helping hand with your travel costs. And if you are travelling by car to Southend, you can claim back your parking costs - just make sure you hang on to your receipt! (Parking at our Colchester Campus is free). We also love meeting your friends and family too, so if you’re travelling by train, we’ll also cover the travel fare of one your guests – pretty nifty, huh?
Check out our terms and conditions to see if you're eligible.
UK students
To receive our Applicant Day Bursary you'll need to meet all of the following criteria:
- an undergraduate or postgraduate applicant
- resident in the UK
- an attendee of an Applicant Day
- living more than 30 miles from the campus you are visiting
- we must receive your application and receipts within 30 days of your Applicant Day
What you need to do next
Applying for the award is simple, you will need to complete this reimbursement form, along with any transport receipts and hand it to a member of staff on your Applicant Day.
Alternatively, you can scan your forms and travel receipts and email them to us at visit@essex.ac.uk.
You can also send your completed form and receipts to:
Applicant Day Travel Bursary Team
Marketing and Student Recruitment
Communications and External Relations
University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ
We cannot reimburse any claims that are made 30 days after the date of your visit.
How much you could get
The maximum award you can claim is £100 for the applicant plus one guest.
Travelling by car - if you drive to the Applicant Day, we will reimburse your total mileage from your home postcode to the campus and back, at the rate of 20p per mile.
Travelling by train - we can reimburse standard class rail travel for you and one accompanying guest. Your home station must be situated more than 30 miles from the campus you are visiting. Remember to include your train tickets and any receipts when you submit your reimbursement form.
Reimbursement
Once your reimbursement form has been processed, we'll send you a cheque for the total amount of your claim. This process can take up to 28 days. If you have not received your payment after 28 days, please get in touch with us.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Applicant Day Travel Bursary, please get in touch.
Email: visit@essex.ac.uk
EU students
To receive our Applicant Day Travel Bursary you'll need to meet all of the following criteria:
- an undergraduate or postgraduate applicant
- resident in the EU
- an attendee of an Applicant Day
- we must receive your application and receipts within 30 days of your Applicant Day
What you need to do next
Applying for the award is simple, you will need to complete this EU reimbursement form, along with any transport receipts and hand it into a member of staff on your Applicant Day.
Alternatively, you can scan your forms and travel receipts and email them to us at visit@essex.ac.uk.
You can also send your completed form and receipts to:
Applicant Day Travel Bursary Team
Marketing and Student Recruitment
Communications and External Relations
University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ
We cannot reimburse any claims that are made 30 days after the date of your visit.
How much you could get
The maximum award you can claim is £100 for the applicant plus one guest.
We can reimburse any forms of travel fare and hotel expenses up to the maximum value of the award. Please remember to include all transport tickets and hotel expenses when you submit your reimbursement form.
Reimbursement
Once your reimbursement form has been processed, we'll send you a cheque for the total amount of your claim. This process can take up to 28 days. If you have not received your payment after 28 days, please get in touch with us.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Applicant Day Travel Bursary, please get in touch.
Email: visit@essex.ac.uk
Any questions about our Applicant Days?
