Study in England (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Study at one of the top ranked and most welcoming schools in the U.K.! On campus, join friends for a barbecue by the Lakes, grab a meal, coffee, or even a concert in Square 3, or curl up with a good book in the six-floor library. In town, explore the Roman ruins, picturesque historic neighborhoods, and the classic English High Street.
• Highly ranked for political science, Essex courses are engaging and challenging! Take courses in business, social science, the humanities, and more.
• Join an active student body, known for engaging in debates after class, gathering for Open Mic Night every Friday, and advocating for the best interests of all Essex students.
• Over one-third of the students at Essex are from overseas, making it one of the most international campuses in the world!
LIFE ABROAD
Enjoy all that England has to offer at Essex! Based in the historic town of Colchester on one of England’s best parklands, you’ll feel right at home in the English countryside. Although it’s just a quick train or bus ride from London, campus life and the local community offer so much to do you might not want to leave! Seeking an excellent academic experience? Essex is top-ranked in the U.K. for sociology, economics, law, politics, international studies, computer science, psychology, and business. Essex believes in “research-led” teaching, and prides itself on student support, innovation, and sustainability.
LIVE
At Essex, live in the North Towers and enjoy a private bedroom in a flat of local and international students. Each flat accommodates up to 14 students and offers shared bathrooms and kitchen space. The Towers are just a two-minute walk to the center of campus and located near Essex Business School.
DINE
Situated on one of the longest coastlines in England, Essex offers world-famous oysters, shellfish, and seafood. Right on campus, you’ll find plenty of dining options. Check out unique spots like CRUMBS, which serves fresh baked cookies and coffee, or FUNc, specializing in gelato, espresso, crepes, and waffles. Enjoy Mexican food, Italian stone-baked pizza, plant-based lunches, and more at the eateries across campus. With shared kitchen space provided in every residence and multiple grocery stores walking distance to campus, it’s also very easy to cook at home. The average monthly cost of groceries for a student in Colchester is approximately 150 to 250 GBP.
Students living in the North Towers from the 2023-2024 academic year will receive free breakfast every weekday (Monday-Friday). This is a 5-item cooked breakfast (no drink) served between 7:30a-11:00a in Canteen on Square 3. There is no takeaway option.
EXPERIENCE
Check out one of the “Squares” at Essex, which are always buzzing with life, or stop by the Lakeside Theatre, which hosts Open Mic night every Friday, and offers plays, live music, and regularly performances. Visit ESCALA, a world-renowned Latin American art collection, which might inspire your own creative endeavors at the Art Exchange gallery. The SubZero nightclub and many bars on campus are great spots for socializing—but so do the many student societies and the Student Union, which is ranked one of the best and most active in the U.K! If you really want to have fun, be sure to check out the Paternoster lift (elevator) in the Library... it’s quite the ride!
EXPLORE
Exploring the rest of Europe is easy when you are just under an hour from London’s Stansted Airport. Cheap and direct flights are readily available to top destinations. Trains and buses from Colchester also make all of Britain accessible. The City of Colchester has excellent shopping, dining, and sightseeing, with old Roman ruins, picturesque streets, and interesting museums. Wivenhoe Park, home to the University of Essex, is a 220 acre parkland voted one of the best green spaces in the U.K. multiple years in a row. Nearby, Southend-on-Sea has the longest pleasure pier in the world, where you can ride on the pier train, play crazy golf and taste the best traditional fish and chips you'll probably ever eat.
THRIVE
Embrace your potential and your whole self while at Essex! The campus strives to foster an inclusive and diverse environment. When you need a little extra assistance, the Student Services Hub is a one-stop-shop for student support. They can assist with health and wellbeing, accommodation, exam stress, and more. When you want to get in a workout, use the brand new, state-of-the-art Essex Sport Arena, a cutting-edge gym, over 300 monthly fitness classes and an extensive range of sports. For something just as enjoyable (but possibly more relaxing), take a stroll through the beautiful Wivenhoe Park, with rolling hills, diverse wildlife, and peaceful lakefront.
What We Love About Essex
Essex is really ideal for anyone who wants to be part of a community and wants more to their study abroad experience than the perfect photos for social media. The super active student body and research-focused classes are perfect for anyone seeking a challenge, a debate, or a moment to shine.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses- Fall
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses - Spring
See ISEP Exchange budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
The flexible study abroad program at Essex creates the freedom to select modules (classes) from across multiple departments and take modules (classes) of all levels. From Exercise Science to Film Studies, Business to the Life Sciences, this means students from virtually any major or area of study will find an academic home at Essex. The chart below reflects some of the more popular classes ISEP students have taken in the past. Use this to get started on planning your own study abroad program at University of Essex!
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 60 UK credits which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 15 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course is usually worth 15 UK credits.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample Classes Available:
Business |
Computer Science & Engineering |
Government & Law |
Psychology & Sociology |
Sports Science |
Hospitality & Tourism (Full Year Only) |
Intro to Finance |
Intro to Databases |
Institutions of Democracy |
Thinking like a Social Scientist |
Sport and Exercise Psychology |
Finance for Hospitality Business |
Corporate Finance |
Fundamentals of a Digital System |
Politics and Power |
Methods of Social Data Science |
Anatomy and Physiology for Sport |
Food and Beverage Management |
International Business Environment |
Software Engineering |
Parties and Elections |
Ethics and Public Policy |
Introduction to Coaching |
Marketing and Customer Behavior |
Management Psychology |
Data Structures and Algorithms |
British Government |
The Sociological Imagination |
Introduction to Performance Analysis |
Wedding and Festival Planning |
Digital Marketing & Social Media |
Engineering Mathematics |
Measuring Public Opinion |
Ethnographic Research Methods |
Treatment of Sports and Exercise Injuries |
Tourism Operations |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
GPlease check our website for more information about our English language requirements. We do not require proof of English language proficiency from native English speakers.
Students are free to select modules across the academic departments at Essex. Please check that you meet any pre-requisites for specific modules – this information is listed on the module directory.
Students should note that the Spring “Semester” consists of two terms: Jan-Mar and Apr-Jun. Students are required to remain on campus through the exam period through the end of June. Depending on their class or program, Fall Term students may have online exam requirements in early January, which they may take from home. Students can check the module directory to see when classes (modules) are assessed and whether the exam is in-person or remote. Exam dates are not flexible. You will be unable to change the time or date of any exams you may have. Please wait to book return flights until you are sure about when exams will be taking place.
The University of Essex also accepts the following English proficiency tests:
-Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)): Term students need 169 overall on the Cambridge English Scale. Full Academic Year students need 16 overall on the Cambridge English Scale w/ minimum of 162 in each component.
-Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)): Term students need 169 overall on the Cambridge English Scale. Full Academic Year students need 16 overall on the Cambridge English Scale w/ minimum of 162 in each component.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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