

Colchester, England
University of Essex is a university located in Colchester, East of England. It holds a Silver TEF rating, recognising teaching that exceeds national expectations.
In the latest rankings, University of Essex is positioned #456 in the QS World Rankings 2026; in the 301-350 band in the THE World Rankings 2026; #44 in the Guardian University Guide (UK).
The university has approximately 14,015 students, with a diverse international community representing 97 nationalities — 34% of the student body. The largest international cohorts come from India, China, and Pakistan.
University of Essex currently lists 247 courses on CourseOptions, spanning 135 undergraduate and 112 postgraduate programmes. There are 17 scholarships available for international students.
Graduate outcomes are strong: 88% of graduates go into employment or further study within 15 months, and the median graduate salary is £28,500, rising to £31,800 after five years.
Student satisfaction is good, with 85% teaching satisfaction in the National Student Survey.
University of Essex is ranked #456 in the world by QS World University Rankings 2026 and #34 in the UK by the Complete University Guide.
| Ranking System | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | #456 |
| Times Higher Education 2026 | #301 |
| Guardian University Guide (UK) | #44 |
| The Complete University Guide (UK) | #34 |
Source: QS, THE, CUG, Guardian — Updated January 2026
79.7% of graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
| Time After Graduation | Median Salary | UK Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months | £28,500 | £26,220 | +9% |
| 3 years | £27,700 | £25,484 | +9% |
| 5 years | £31,800 | £29,256 | +9% |
Source: HESA Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) 2025
These figures represent institution-wide averages across all subject areas and study modes. Actual graduate outcomes vary by course and cohort. For course-specific data, visit Discover Uni at Discover Uni.
Has an 85% overall satisfaction rate according to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025.
Source: National Student Survey (NSS) 2025.
These figures represent institution-wide averages across all courses and may not reflect satisfaction for a specific course. For course-level data, visit Discover Uni at Discover Uni.
33.7% of students are international, representing 97+ countries. Total international students: 4,725.
| Countries | Students | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| India | 1,000 | 21.2% |
| China | 555 | 11.7% |
| Pakistan | 290 | 6.1% |
| France | 270 | 5.7% |
| Nigeria | 210 | 4.4% |
| Malaysia | 140 | 3% |
| Saudi Arabia | 130 | 2.8% |
| United States | 125 | 2.6% |
| Hong Kong | 120 | 2.5% |
| Turkey | 115 | 2.4% |
Source: HESA official data.
We found 31 scholarships you may be eligible for based on your location.
100% tuition fee waiver for UK undergraduates
For students from: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Full PhD scholarship for sustainable transitions research
Open to all international students
Full Masters plus PhD scholarship for underrepresented UK students
For students from: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Tuition fee discounts for MBA students at Essex Business School
Open to all international students
£8,000 annual tuition fee discount for EU postgraduate research students
For selected nationalities (see university)
Showing 5 of 31 scholarships
View all 31 scholarships at University of Essex →Explore courses, compare universities, and find scholarships at CourseOptions.com
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