Our at-a-glance guide to the University of Essex

Essex is a 1960s university, but it has remained smaller than many of its contemporaries, with just over 10,000 students (7,590 undergraduates). They have plenty of space to roam around in the university's three campuses - Colchester, Loughton and Southend - with 200 acres of landscaped grounds at the oldest and largest campus on the outskirts of Colchester. Essex boasts consistently strong academic performance and was ranked ninth in the UK for the quality of its research in the 2008 research assessment exercise.

Fees
£3,290 for full-time undergraduates in 2010-11.

Bursaries
If your household income is less than £25,000, you will receive £319 a year. Between £25,001 and £34,000, you will receive bursaries to top up your partial grant, to bring your overall support to £3,225. Then on a sliding scale for students with household incomes of between £34,001 and £50,020.

Accommodation
From £64 to £104. All first-year students not living within the respective campus borough are guaranteed accommodation if they apply by the deadline. The university's student accommodation won the best halls category in the national student housing survey 2009.

Facilities
Essex is investing over £200m in new buildings and campus improvements over five years. Projects already completed or nearing completion include the major refurbishment and extension of the Lakeside theatre, new performance and studio space at the Clifftown studios in Southend, a £1m fitness centre extension at the sports centre, and a new learning centre.

Following a £1.25m redevelopment, the union nightclub was named the best student venue in the UK by the Bars, Entertainment and Dancing Association, and is host to many live acts, plus there are four further bars to tempt you. Forty acres of the Colchester campus are devoted to sport with over 165 clubs and societies.

Transport
Colchester campus is two miles from the town centre on major bus routes. There are two railway stations in the town and one in nearby Winvenhoe. London is an hour away. Colchester is accessed by road from the A12 trunk road (50 minutes to the M25). Southend campus is near the town's two railway stations with direct routes into London, while central London is accessible from the Loughton campus by the underground (Central line). All three campuses are within driving distance of Stansted airport.

Contact
Tel: 01206 873666
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: essex.ac.uk
Accommodation: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

read full article