Welcome new students

Before you start

students sitting on Southend beach looking at the sea

Get ready for life at Essex

To help prepare you for your new life as an Essex student, we’ve put together some pre-arrival information so you can get your questions answered and start planning ahead from the comfort of your home. 

 

Pre-arrival information

Applying to study at Essex

We are accepting applications for our programmes for entry in October 2023.

For more information and to find out how to apply, please take a look at the webpages for your level of study:

Register with us

To become an official Essex student, you’ll need to register with us.

Online registration is now open for January 2023 students.

Get financially prepared 

Take a look at our fees and funding pages to ensure you’re financially prepared for life at Essex.

If you are an international student you will need to set up a bank account. More information can be found here about how to do this.

Book your accommodation

Don't leave it until the last minute to find a place to live. We have a range of accommodation options at our Colchester and Southend campuses to suit different needs, preferences and budgets, all within walking distance of the academic departments and campus facilities.

Applications will open for new students starting October 2023 on 10 January 2023, all full-time undergraduate students studying at our Colchester Campus are entitled to accommodation for the first year of study provided you return your application by midnight, Friday 25 August 2023.

Applications are open now for new January 2023 start postgraduate students, as well as 2023-24 returning students.

Alternatively, you may wish to find off-campus accommodation in the local area through SU Homes.

Please note, we do not have student accommodation at our Loughton Campus.

Get up to date with your vaccinations

All students should have their MMR jabs and be vaccinated against meningitis. If you're not sure if you're vaccinated, check with your doctor now. 

The Coronavirus vaccination is now available and as university students we want to support you to get vaccinated in order to protect yourself, fellow students and the campus community you live and study within.

Take a look at our support and advice to help you stay healthy.

Choose your modules with eNROL

Your course is likely to have a mix of compulsory and optional modules. You can select optional modules for your course with our online eNROL system.

Once you’ve chosen all your modules and they’ve been confirmed, they’ll appear on your online timetable

International students

We are proud to be a global community and we recognise that living and studying in the UK may be very different from your own country. Make sure you read all the guidance for new international students to help you arrive and settle in to your new life at Essex. 

Students with additional support needs

If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, long term medical condition or mental health condition you can register with our Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Team before you arrive so that we can consider your support needs. Find further information on what is available:

Under 18 students

Our student communities pages are a great source of information about all the support and services that are available to you if you're under 18 and coming to Essex.

Commuters

Many people live at home during university and these students will often form friendships with other commuters.

Mature students

It is not uncommon for mature students to find it difficult at first to juggle other commitments with their university life. They are opportunities for them to contact others in similar situations.

Two female students talking
Top tips for coming to Essex

Still unsure about what life will be like at Essex. See our top tips to make sure you make the most of this exciting week.

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Student Services Hub
Need help?

If you need any further help and advice, please contact or visit the Student Services Hub who will be happy to assist you.