Be University Wise guides › Universities › University of Essex
University of Essex
University of Essex is a university in Colchester, England, in a campus setting. How it compares on official data.
56th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 45.8 out of 100. How we rank.
How it compares
| Measure | University of Essex | Average in the overall table | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student experience | 86.6% | 85.1% | Average positive answers across seven National Student Survey 2026 themes, from 1,466 final-year students. |
| Continuation | 84.6% | 83.0% | Full-time degree students still studying or qualified a year after starting (Discover Uni). |
| Graduate prospects | 60.3% | 63.7% | Graduates in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing (Discover Uni). |
| Earnings | £34,800 | UK average for the same subjects | Median earnings five years after graduating, tax year 2023-24 (LEO): 1% below the UK average for the same mix of subjects. |
Sources: National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students (Open Government Licence v3.0), first degree, full-time, by teaching provider; LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education (Open Government Licence v3.0), median earnings five years after graduating; Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA (CC BY 4.0), continuation and graduate prospects. All sources and licences.
What students say: National Student Survey 2026
The share of final-year students giving positive answers on each theme, next to the average for providers in the overall table.
| Theme | University of Essex | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching on my course | 88.4% | 87.5% |
| Learning opportunities | 86.7% | 85.3% |
| Assessment and feedback | 84.2% | 82.7% |
| Academic support | 90.7% | 89.1% |
| Organisation and management | 84.8% | 79.5% |
| Learning resources | 90.5% | 88.5% |
| Student voice | 81.0% | 79.8% |
Subject tables
University of Essex appears in 12 of our 35 subject tables. Subjects need at least 50 survey responses.
| Subject | Position | Student experience | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing and midwifery | 3rd of 75 | 91.0% | £41,70012% above the UK average for this subject |
| Performing arts | 14th of 59 | 90.1% | £22,70011% below the UK average for this subject |
| Computing | 42nd of 108 | 84.9% | £46,50012% above the UK average for this subject |
| Sociology, social policy and anthropology | 31st of 74 | 87.3% | £31,5004% above the UK average for this subject |
| Engineering | 29th of 63 | 85.3% | Not published |
| Biosciences | 25th of 51 | 88.2% | £32,6002% below the UK average for this subject |
| Business and management | 65th of 122 | 84.6% | £37,3004% above the UK average for this subject |
| Psychology | 55th of 100 | 85.7% | £30,4001% above the UK average for this subject |
| Economics | 32nd of 49 | 88.7% | £40,30024% below the UK average for this subject |
| Allied health | 43rd of 61 | 81.8% | £38,40010% above the UK average for this subject |
| Law | 62nd of 87 | 83.8% | £34,4003% below the UK average for this subject |
| Politics | 38th of 43 | 87.4% | £38,8001% above the UK average for this subject |
Also has official data for, but not enough to rank in: Combined and general studies, Creative arts and design, Education and teaching, English studies, Health and social care, History and archaeology, Languages and area studies, Mathematical sciences, Media, journalism and communications, Medical sciences, Philosophy and religious studies, Sport and exercise sciences.
UCAS points of past entrants
The UCAS Tariff points of recent entrants to full-time degree courses who had Tariff qualifications, from Discover Uni. These are past entrants, not offers: check each course page for entry requirements.
The middle entrant (the median) was in the 112 to 127 band, and the most common band was 96 to 111 points. Work out your UCAS points.
Courses and key facts
Discover Uni lists 557 full-time degree courses; 144 of them with a placement year, as an option or built in; 166 with a year abroad, as an option or built in.
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating: Silver overall (student experience Silver, student outcomes Silver). TEF covers England only and is not part of the Be Wise ranking.
University of Essex website · Accommodation · Students' union
Course counts, TEF and links: {oa("du")}, CC BY 4.0. Check course details with the university.
Living costs in Colchester
Average private rent in the Colchester area was £1,197 a month in August 2026, against a UK average of £1,400. Student rooms usually cost less than a whole home. Cost of living in Colchester.
Is University of Essex right for you?
In the app, enter your predicted and expected grades to see Aspirational, Realistic and Safer labels, compare two universities side by side, or save University of Essex to your shortlist.
Open Be University WiseSources
- National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students
- Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA
- LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education
- Price Index of Private Rents, Office for National Statistics
- Discover Uni: compare courses, official UK course comparison website
- University of Essex: official website
Data used under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Office for Students, Department for Education, ONS) and CC BY 4.0 (HESA). All sources and licences.
All university and college profiles · Rankings
Quick answers
Where is University of Essex in the Be Wise ranking?
56th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 45.8 out of 100. The Be Wise ranking uses only official data on student experience, continuation, graduate prospects and earnings.
What do students say about University of Essex?
In the 2026 National Student Survey, an average of 86.6% of final-year students gave positive answers across the seven themes, from 1,466 responses. Its highest theme compared with the average was organisation and management (84.8%, against 79.5%), and its lowest was teaching on my course (88.4%, against 87.5%).
How many students continue their course at University of Essex?
On Discover Uni data, 84.6% of full-time degree students were still studying or had qualified a year after starting. The average in the overall table was 83.0%.
What do University of Essex graduates go on to do?
On Discover Uni data, 60.3% of graduates were in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing. The average in the overall table was 63.7%.
How much do University of Essex graduates earn?
Median earnings five years after graduating were £34,800 in the 2023-24 tax year, according to the Department for Education's LEO data. That is 1% below the UK average for graduates of the same mix of subjects.
What UCAS points do you need for University of Essex?
Entry requirements vary by course, so check each course page. Among recent entrants with UCAS Tariff points, the most common band was 96 to 111 points. Past entrants' points are not offers.
What is University of Essex's TEF rating?
Silver overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework, with Silver for student experience and Silver for student outcomes, as published in the Discover Uni dataset.
How much is rent near University of Essex?
The ONS average private rent in the Colchester area was £1,197 a month in August 2026. Student rooms in halls or shared houses usually cost less than a whole home.