Why Essex?

Over a third of our student population comes from outside of the UK so you'll feel right at home at Essex. 

Hear from our Hong Kong SAR students

I originally came to the University of Essex to do my Bachelors degree in Maths and Accounting. Essex is very international and I have made friends from around the world. I helped organise basketball events and other events with the Chinese Society at the University which was a good way to meet people. Studying my Bachelor degree was good and the professors in the department are very helpful. We work together in groups on a lot of the coursework which I like and it helps me learn. I decided to stay and do my Masters course here too as I have made so many good friends. The course is challenging and I often have a lot of work, but I know it will be valuable for me in the future.
Zepu Su MSc Mathematics

Chat to a current student from Hong Kong

Hong Kong alumna Hiu Kei Chan
As an international student, I was very much attracted by the high level of cultural diversity of Essex as it allows me to meet people from around the world, which enables me to widen my perspectives. Also, what caught my attention is that Essex has a good reputation for its Business School and has a high ranking in research, which is what made me decide to study at Essex. The university provides us with many career opportunities such as work experiences and employability workshops that enhance our employability.
Hiu Kei Chan (Michelle) bsc management and marketing

Entry requirements

Undergraduate

Most of our Undergraduate Bachelor degree courses will consider 544 from HKDSE. 

We can accept 4 in English from HKDSE to meet our English language requirements.

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

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 a 2:2 or above from 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 pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

We also have a range of Foundation Programmes available 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.  

Academic Excellence International Masters Scholarship offers £2,000 scholarships to international students who took undergraduate degree overseas or in the UK and are self-funding their postgraduate studies. Please visit the link for further details about deadlines and eligibility.

Our Asia (West-Central-North) Undergraduate Scholarship offers up to £3,000 scholarships to undergraduate students from Hong Kong. Please visit the link for further details about deadlines and eligibility.

Please visit our Scholarships pages for information about additional funding opportunities.

Student societies

We’ve got over 100 clubs and societies at Essex, including our friendly Hong Kong SAR society, where you’ll have the chance to:

  • Share Hong Kong SAR Chinese culture with other students
  • Join the celebration in the Lunar New Year event
  • Make and enjoy Hong Kong SAR food
  • Partake in society socials

Explore the Hong Kong SAR Chinese society

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

Meet us in Hong Kong SAR


Please don't hesitate to get in touch with your country contact with the details at the bottom of this page with any questions.

You can also get in touch on WhatsApp: +60162223571.

Two students talking in the SU Bar at our Southend Campus
Chat with our students and staff

Fancy discovering what student life at Essex is like? Want to learn more about our international community? Come and talk to some of our students and staff online to get answers to all of your questions.

Chat with us
Christabel
Get in touch
Christabel Hong Kong SAR country contact
Telephone: +603 7493 0805