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University of Essex
From The Student RoomTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > University of Essex
 The University of Essex is a British plate glass university. It received its Royal Charter in 1965. The University's main campus is located at Wivenhoe Park on the outskirts of Colchester in the English county of Essex, less than a mile from the town of Wivenhoe. Apart from the Wivenhoe Park campus, there are campuses in Southend, Loughton (home of the East 15 Acting School) and Writtle (the former Essex Institute of Agriculture). The University's motto, Thought the harder, heart the keener, is adapted from the East Saxon poem The Battle of Maldon. Departments
FacilitiesLibrariesThe Albert Soloman Library [1]is situated on Campus. It's got loads of reading rooms and a computer lab, though it's pretty difficult to find a free computer in there at lunch time. You can usually keep books for about a week, though the books which are very popular are only loanable for a few hours. Library fines are quite horrendous if you don't return them on time. IT and ComputingAccommodation is linked up to the uni network. There is already a cable in the rooms so you don't need to bring anything with you (except a computer, obviously). Lots of computer labs are dotted around campus - though some of them are out of use when a class happens in them. Generally it's quite easy to find a free computer, just not around lunchtime as everyone seems to be on them then. Wireless internet is available from the Library reading room, at campus network speeds, however this depends on usage and the opening times of the reading room. SportsThe University has a sports centre [2] which is located on campus. It has a fitness suite which has an extensive free weights area as well as your ordinary treadmills etc. It costs £20 for three months usage, or £50 for a year. The University also has loads of sports clubs like football, rugby, karate, badminton (take a look on the student union webstei).
The University has a wide range of sports clubs, including many sports not normally experienced outside of University life such as disc golf and American Football. It has a reasonably well-equipped sports centre, including a fitness suite, squash courts, netball and tennis courts and an 8m climbing wall. The University has its own clubhouse and boat-park at nearby Brightlingsea. Sports that played at Essex:
WelfareThe uni is well equipped in looking after the welfare of their students. There is a free counselling service, a medical centre on site, and Student Support which is dedicated to helping out students who experience difficulties on the course. HealthcareThere is a healthcentre on campus which all students register with when they arrive. There's no pharmacy though, but the healthcenter can sometimes get the prescription for you, but this takes 24 hours if it is in stock, otherwise if you need it urgently you will have to trek into town to pick up a prescription. ShopsThere is one 'general needs' campus shop in square 4 in the main campus, however, this is limited to 10pm closing times on weekdays (mon-fri) and 8pm closing times on weekends. The shop stocks a number of fairtrade goods, as well as groceries, international student product needs, tobacco and alcohol.
There is a selection of fast-food and take-away restraunts on campus, there range from 'McDonalds' style outlets to Pizza delivery services. RestaurantsThere are lots of places to eat such as the SU bar, and a pizza place. They are reasonably priced though its cheaper to cook yourself, but if you need them they are there and they are OK. BanksThere are 2 banks located on campus; these being Lloyds TSB and Barclays. Both have cash machines situated nearby. TransportEverything you need is on campus and within walking distance. If you want to go into town, there are buses every 15 minutes or so. There's also a bus every 20 minutes that takes you to the train station, and then you're only about an hour and a half away from London. Careers serviceEssex 'Jobshop' provides students for searching for jobs around the Colchester area. When signed up (req a valid Essex registration ID) jobshop sends job vacancies directly to the users essex email account. For more information about the job vacancies, the individual can either email/phone/mail the employer direct (if avail.) or take the vacancy code to the jobshop direct in square 4 next to the post office, for more information and contact details. Opening times are 9am-4pm weekdays only. Part-time jobsThere are absolutely loads of opportunities for part time jobs. If you sign up to the JobShop, which is the university's online job seeking service, you will get about 3 or 4 emails a day offering local part time jobs. Religious facilitiesThe university has a place for all religions on campus. SocialBars, Pubs and clubsFew on campus, got our own nightclub, but its cheap to get into town if you want, but the SU pull big names in like Paul Oakenfold EventsThe university holds lots of events on and off campus, we have big name acts and DJs come and play on campus. The Union has held evets off campus by hiring out nightclubs in town. There is a lot going on at Essex, always something happening. Clubs and societiesThere are a number of clubs and societies and over 40 sports clubs, as listed above, and 120 registered societies covering cultural, religious, political, social and academic interests, as well as Musical. Each society does it own little thing and have parties - law has the law ball. The DJ Soc helps to give training on using decks for free while the Film Soc show weekly films to its members. There's a lot to do when a member of a society. AccommodationAccommodation policyAll first years get guaranteed on-campus accommodation for the first year. You move out into private accommodation in the 2nd and 3rd year, though there is a waiting list you can go on (but priority is given for 1st years, then 3rd years, then 2nd years). See the 'Essex Accommodation Guide' for more deatils. FacilitiesResidencesThe University has a number of residences. There are the Towers (4 being North & 2 are South towers), the South Courts, the Houses and Wolfson Court. The Towers are the cheapest and the Courts are the most expensive, although you do have the luxury of an en-suite in the latter. For more information regarding rent and general questions, please visit the accommodation office at http://www.essex.ac.uk/accommodation/. Private sectorThe private accommodation list gets released in April each year - 2nd year students can't get on-campus accommodation so you'll have to move out. Most people move out to Wivenhoe, Hythe, Greenstead or other areas of Colchester. Third years also tend to move out, though all years can go on a waiting list for accommodation on campus. Student unionPricesCost of most pints in £1.90 EnvironmentArchitectureConcrete architecture is typical of England's 60s' universities and quite similar to that of the University of East Anglia. The architect of the University of Essex campus took the Tuscan town of San Gimignano with its squares and towers as an inspiration. Local areaCampus set in, Wivenhoe Park - over 200 acres (809km²) of park land, two lakes. Teaching qualityEssex, although one of the smallest universities in the UK, has a teaching record that ranks it higher than some larger universities. It's strengths lie primarily in the Social Sciences, namely Economics and Sociology. Departments tend to do well in research and teaching and this is evident in the fact that Essex was placed 9th out of more than 100 institutions in the RAE of 2001. Most departments are rated above 20 out of 24 for teaching with Economics receiving the highest marks both for research and teaching (one of only 4 Economics departments in the UK to do so) and Sociology receiving 6* for research, the only department in the UK to do so. Applying to EssexThinking of applying to University of Essex? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here? Other Essex ArticlesWhy not read these other University of Essex Articles? Links | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Registered Office: 33 Bond Street, Brighton, East Sussex. BN1 1RD
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