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University of Essex
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[edit] University of Essex
The main campus is located in the south east of England in Wivenhoe Park which is located near to Colchester. The University has satelite campuses located in Southend and Loughton. The University was established in 1963 and is home to over 9000 students from 130 countries. Essex has generally enjoyed a top 30 status being reported as such 11 times in 16 years of the Times Good University guide's history. It has recently slipped to 42nd in the country but this shouldn't detract from the success the relatively small university has found. The Research and Assessment guide (RAE) rates Essex as the 9th best University and highlights essex as one of the UK's elite University's in this area. Along with this Essex is rated in the top 20 for student satisfaction and consistently performs in core departments. The University is noted as a centre of excellence in humanties and social sciences, recieved excellent ratings for sociology, philosophy, politics, history and economics and is regarded as being very strong in biological sciences, psychology and electronic engineering. The newest report can be found on www.timesonline.co.uk which outlines the University's quality in more detail.
[edit] Contact Details
Address: University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ.
Telephone: 01206 873333
Website: www.essex.ac.uk
[edit] Accomodation
[edit] Main Campus (Colchester)
The accomodation is generally very close to the University campus and there is a varied choice on offer for prospective students. As a rule this will be available for first years only and it is extremely lucky to get campus acccomodation before the term starts for the following years of study. The wait can continue for 1-2 months for those low down on the accomodation lists, which fills up as soon as it is released. First years (or post graduates) will have a 3 minute walk to campus on-site and a 15 minute walk off-site. Students who have privately rented accomodation should expect a minimum minimum walking time of around 20 minutes when in privately rented accomodation. There are a limited amount of properties available that offer shorter walking times on the road up to the north side of campus. Don't expect to park at the University if you are in campus accomodation and be aware that the University hire a private clamping company called Woodlund who run a unreasonable and unfair clamping service. This aside a resonably priced parking permit can be bought for £20 which reduces the parking rates to 5p a hour. despite large parking facilities on the north and south sides of campus, parking is competetive and you should expect to park on the off-road overspill carparks.
Consider working as a RSN (you have to tell people to be quite if they are making noise along with other minor responsibilities) as you get accomodation practically free. Buzzkill yes, but you barely do any work, get something nice for your CV and get to save about £2-2500. Accomodation prices have been increasing over the years however a lot of money has been put into renevation and new accomodation blocks and the prices should not deter from the fact you are getting quality accomodation with the quays, the houses and south courts.
The North Towers - 7/10
Reccomended accomodation. It is comparitively cheap and offers the most sociable atmosphere. These 4 large tower blocks are primarily for undergraduates and consist of 13-16 rooms per floor. Each floor has three toilet/shower areas and a large sociable kitchen. Expect to socialise with the floors directly above and below, with each tower developing a personality which is fondly remembered as most student's 'best years' at Essex University.
The South Towers - 7/10
More or less the same as above except there are only two towers. Occiosnal bad reception for TV's are the main difference.
South Courts - 7/10
Brand new en-suite accomodation. 4-6 people a floor in smaller tower blocks. If you don't make close friends then you may find yourself over in the towers most of the time. Generally better for a balanced diet of work and play. Be careful, if in doubt choose the towers, some people find themselves homesick in south courts.
The Houses - 8/10
Ideal Post-grad enviroment. In fact only consider this if you are post-grad. Expensive comparitely but you get a lot for your money. Big kitchens, big rooms.
The Quays - 5/10
The only off-site accomodation and it's definitely not a 'pleasant 15 minute walk through open meadows' as quoted on the Essex site. Rememeber you are at University primarily in cold months and you will have to do this walk every day, plus it's bordering on a bog. It's very near train tracks as well which I assume would be louder than on campus. If you can overlook that main fault or already own a bicycle then you can expect up-to-date accomodation from the new build. A great atmosphere where 6-8 students share a communal kitchen and have spacious en-suite rooms. They are situated near to the hairdressers and it's downhill back from Tescos, arguably closer too.
Privately Rented Accomodation/Living At Home
The favoured accomodation associated with the University can be found via this link Private Sector Accomodation. Second and third years please, please, please don't move into town. It is hassle driving anywhere in Colchester in the rush hour and it gets even worse when the schools are back as Colchester is full of schools and large colleges, there are no easy routes for buses to take either. Plus any friends will be elsewhere which adds to travel expense, which all adds up. Greenstead is a rough area but I would still recommend it. Always use the night bus when coming back from campus late at night after going out. This can be found underneath the podium (i.e. Near where you queue up to get into the club on campus). Dont live in Wivenhoe. It's quiet, you will feel alienated and locals generally aren't the friendliest to students. Although it is home to the infamous pub crawl which should be tried at least once on warmer days. You can get good deals so look for around £250 a month which should balance quality, convience (in distance to the Uni) and value for money. Also ask if the bills are included because these will definetly add a significant amount to your overall outgoings. Split bills between housemates so everyone has a responsiblity which ultimtely decreases agruments about money. Lastly REMEMBER YOU ARE EXEPMT FROM COUNCIL TAX! Get the form from the University after registration, one is needed for every person in the house and then contact your local council for details.
[edit] Food Shopping
- Do not expect to get a good deal from the campus shop, restaurants, vending machines, coffee machines e.t.c. If I had to make one good point then it would be that the shop does have a small selection of food from all ethinicities. So at least we can all laugh at the pitiful selection on offer as a diverse community. Luckily there is a nearby Tesco's superstore which has regular bus routes to and from the University (it's only a 15 minute walk but trust me, don't try it).
- When eating out in restaurants or when trying to be frugal browse Moneysavingexpert.com which has lots of deals and vouchers that can be printed off for free from the interent.
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