Your first week and beyond

Welcome events 

Get ready for a whole range of Welcome events, including department inductions to get you settled into your new academic home. There'll also be a variety of activities to help you find new interests and meet other students.

Getting started

Our Student Directory is your information hub about the University, your studies and the support you might need whilst at University. Here are some essentials to get you started:

• Student Services Hub
• Your timetable
• Getting in touch with your department
• Accommodation
• Commuting students
• Travel and transport
• Getting started with IT - a guide for new students
• Help and support for mental and emotional health
• Food and drink

Finding your way around campus

Find Your Way - Our University campus is pretty big so you might need help finding your way around and your classrooms. Our Find Your Way app is essential - trust us, you’ll need it.

Get involved in sport

Love sport, want to play the field, or just stay active and make friends? Take advantage of our Essex Sport membership packages, including special Welcome offers. You'll get access to excellent facilities, including the state-of-the-art Essex Sport Arena, a cutting-edge gym, a variety of group fitness classes, and an extensive range of sports.

And a big welcome to Essex Blades Sport, home to 40+ sports clubs. Whether you're into solo or group sports, indoor or outdoor activities, water or land-based fun, competitive or recreational games – there’s something for everyone.

Essex Sport Welcome Week

Join us at the Essex Sport Welcome Week or at Registration where you'll get the chance to meet Essex Sport, Essex Rebels and our student supporters' club. Plus we'll have information on the 44 sports clubs you can join and loads of freebies and discounts for you to take home with you.

Meet people and make friends  

During your first few weeks at Essex try and introduce yourself to as many people as possible, this could be during our Welcome Week events or through some of the ideas below.

Clubs and societies

At Essex, we have over 165 sports clubs and societies. SU clubs and societies are a great way to get support and experience in your subject from fellow students, or if you just want to see some friendly faces from your home country. From the departmentally-focused and culturally-based to the downright weird and wonderful, there's an SU society for everyone.

Student communities

Our community is diverse, and there many opportunities for students to meet others in similar or different circumstances and to access relevant support. Our student communities groups are just one of the ways students can connect with others who have shared university experiences such as commuters, international students and mature students. 

Social media

We've got loads of social media groups for you to find your new BFFs. We've got just about every possibility covered from country groups and accommodation specific ones. Just search Facebook Groups for ‘University of Essex’ to get started.

Faith Centre

We're proud of our vibrant and diverse multicultural community and we understand the importance that faith, belief and spirituality play in the lives of many people. Our Faith Centre is open to everyone, of any religion or none. It's a welcoming place to meet, chat and make friends.

Get involved with the Big Essex Award

Why not join the 6,000 students who have already taken part in the Big Essex Award, the University’s employability and skills award? There are over 100 different activities both on and off-campus to complete. Everything will be formally recognised by the University of Essex and included on your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR); your secure digital transcript of all your academic and extracurricular achievements. 

Safety, support and security

Our community’s health and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. The Student Directory has helpful information that we encourage all students to read before starting at Essex. This includes guidance and advice on personal safety, health and wellbeing, money matters and much more.

Register to vote

If you’re eligible to vote in UK local and general elections, you’ll need to make sure you’re on the electoral register once you’ve settled into your accommodation, using your new address. Don’t miss your chance to have your say – join the UK electoral register online.