Excellent facilities for sport

Full programme of Arts events

• over 100 clubs and societies
• student radio station, RED AM 1404, broadcasting 24 hours
• shops and Travel Centre

Established student support and careers services

• International Programmes Office providing advice and assistance for Study Abroad students
• Student Support Office offering advice and information on a wide range of issues

Easy access to London and the Continent

• London 50 minutes by train Stansted Airport 30 miles away
• Ports of Harwich and Felixstowe with sea crossings to Northern Europe nearby

Quality Teaching

Academic Standards

In 2002-2003 the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education established a new system to measure quality in higher education, the Institutional Audit. Assessed for the first time under this system in November 2003, the QAA audit team gave the University of Essex a result of 'broad confidence', the highest possible outcome. Essex's innovative approach to learning and teaching was identified as a particular area of good practice as was the support offered to international students. The full report is available on the QAA website.

Teaching Quality

Since 1993, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and more recently the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) have been carrying out assessments of university teaching by subject. About half of the areas in which Essex awards degrees have so far been reviewed. Since 1995, subjects have been scored 4 (the best mark), 3, 2 or 1 under six 'aspects of provision': curriculum design, content and organisation; teaching, learning and assessment; student progression and achievement; student support and guidance; learning resources; quality management and enhancement. At Essex, no subject so far has scored below 20 overall. In May 2003 the Times Higher Education Supplement ranked Essex seventh in the UK for teaching quality.