University of Essex

University of Essex
Coat of arms
MottoThought the harder, heart the keener
TypePublic research university
Established1964 – the first academic year
1965 – received university status by royal charter
Academic affiliations
AMBA
Eastern ARC
Young European Research Universities Network
Universities UK
Endowment£9.1 million (2023)[1]
Budget£317.8 million (2022/23)[1]
ChancellorDr Sarah Perry
Vice-ChancellorAnthony Forster
Administrative staff
2,562 full-time equivalent (2019–20)[2]
Students17,000 (2022)[2]
Undergraduates15,348 (2019–20)[2]
Postgraduates2,577 (2019–20)[2]
Location
Essex
,
England
Campus
Colours
NicknameThe Essex Blades[3]
MascotPebbles the Cat[4]
Websiteessex.ac.uk

The University of Essex is a public research university in Essex, England. Established by royal charter in 1965, it is one of the original plate glass universities. The university comprises three campuses in the county, in Southend-on-Sea and Loughton with its primary campus in Wivenhoe Park, Colchester.

Essex has a largely diverse student community and holds partnerships with more than 100 global higher education institutions.[5] It was named University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards in 2018. Essex's Department of Government received Regius Professorship conferred by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013[6] and the university was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize on two occasions for advancing human rights in 2009 and social and economic research in 2017.[7][8]

In 2025 rankings, Essex is ranked 25th in the Complete University Guide, 23rd in The Guardian University Guide and 46th by The Sunday Times. It has produced alumni in several fields across the world; these include Nobel Prize laureates, a head of state, and senior governors and politicians.

  1. ^ a b "Essex Financial Statements 2022–23" (PDF). Essex Financial Statements. Essex. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Essex Financial Statements 2019–20" (PDF). Essex Financial Statements. Essex. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Essex SU – Sport". Essexstudent.com. Retrieved 19 August 2017. The Essex Blades are the collective name for all our sports teams and clubs who represent the university, as well as just for fun.
  4. ^ "University of Essex Online - Did you know the University of Essex's Colchester campus has an adorable mascot? If you're planning on attending our Summer 2022 Graduation ceremony, keep an eye out for Pebbles!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  5. ^ "University of Essex". Times Higher Education (THE). 10 April 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Royal honour for Essex university department of government". BBC News. February 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Queens Prize for Human Rights". Gazette News. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Queens Prize for Social and Economic Research". essex.ac.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2021.