University of Essex one of the biggest climbers in Complete University Guide rankings

The latest Complete University Guide rankings saw the University of Essex move up nine places to 32nd overall.

Essex was the biggest climber in the UK top 50 thanks to increases in our scores for graduate prospects, spending on academic services and spending on our facilities – which is the highest in the eastern region and the third-highest in the UK.

We’re in the top 10 nationally for American Studies; Dance, Drama and Cinematics; and History of Art. In addition we’re in the top 25% for Communication and Media Studies including Multimedia Journalism; Creative Writing; Politics; and Sociology.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Aletta Norval said: “We pride ourselves on providing a truly transformational education at Essex which gives our graduates the skills to succeed in the future. We’re pleased to see our investment in the student experience recognised in these latest rankings. This investment is helping us create further outstanding facilities, develop innovative courses and strengthen the support available to those studying at Essex through focused mentoring, personal tutoring and other initiatives.

“We also aim to create an environment where our students really engage with the world-class research taking place at Essex. We want to encourage them to ask difficult questions, break intellectual boundaries and give them the ability to take on issues of global concern through their own research.”

Essex was ranked in the top 30 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide in 2016 and ranked 4th in the UK for social science research and in the top 20 overall for research excellence in the Research Excellence Framework, the national assessment of research quality and impact. Essex has now been number one for the quality of its politics and international studies research in each of the last six assessments, dating back to 1986 when national rankings began. More than two thirds of Essex’s politics research is rated as world-leading.