Why Essex?

Here at Essex we welcome students from more than 140 countries to our campuses with open arms. Over a third of our student population are from outside of the UK so you’ll feel right at home.
I came to Essex after transferring from my Belgian university in Brussels. I would advise fellow Belgians to come and see how different things can be across the channel. If one is looking to broaden his or her horizons in a top class institution for a reasonable cost, Essex can be the right choice. In addition, the university has one of the highest rates of international students in the country which makes it very diverse and one finds that people are extremely open and friendly. I have come to genuinely appreciate the English lifestyle and will continue my studies in the UK at Masters level.
Maximilien Von Berg BA in International Relations and Politics

Entry requirements

Undergraduate

Most of our Undergraduate Bachelor degree courses will consider 7/10 or 14/20, or a 60% average with 70% in three subjects from Belgian high school qualifications. 

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available if you do not meet these grades. Please visit our Pathways Department for details about our undergraduate degrees with a foundation year and the University of Essex International College for other undergraduate and postgraduate pathways.

Some courses have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team admit@essex.ac.uk.

Postgraduate Taught

Many of our Postgraduate Taught Masters will consider applicants with 2.2 (Met voldoening/Avec satisfaction) and above from a Belgian Bachelor degree. Some courses and departments have higher entry requirements as well as other admissions criteria. Please see individual courses for more information or email our admissions team at pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available through our partner Kaplan International Colleges if you do not meet these grades. Please visit University of Essex International College for further information.

Postgraduate Research 

For entry to Research degrees, please refer to the entry requirements for the degree that you are interested in. 

An undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:2 (see the grade information above), and a master's degree with a good grade is required for most PhD programmes, in addition to a well-developed research proposal in a field in which we can offer supervision. Please have a read through our information for research degree applicants and check the course details for your chosen programme for further information about entry criteria.

Scholarships and funding

Our Essex Global Talent Scholarship, worth 50% of the first year tuition fee, is available for international undergraduate or master’s students.

International Baccalaureate Excellence Scholarship offers £2,000 scholarships to students who start at Essex in 2025-2026 and achieve academic excellence in their International Baccalaureate. 

Our Undergraduate EU Scholarship offers £5,000 scholarships to undergraduate students from Belgium. Please visit the link for further details about deadlines and eligibility.

Our Master (PGT) EU Scholarship offers up to £5,500 scholarships to masters students from Belgium. Please visit the link for further details about deadlines and eligibility.

Please visit our Scholarships pages for full terms and conditions and information about additional funding opportunities.

Our student societies

We’ve got over 100 clubs and societies at Essex, including our friendly Essex European Society, where you’ll have the chance to:

  • Promote European cooperation and connections with other continents
  • Network with students and organisations from across Europe
  • Join the society football team
  • Partake in society socials and parties

Explore the Essex European society

Join in the conversation and get to know other students with the society's Facebook page.

Meet us in Belgium

Unfortunately we do not have any visits planned to your country in the near future. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with your country contact named below with any questions.

Two women standing outside
Book a meeting with our team

Book a short virtual meeting with our student recruitment team to ask anything about applying to or studying at Essex.

Book your meeting
George Swain profile photo
Get in touch
George Swain Belgium country contact