Essex Students' Union in national Top 10

The University of Essex Students’ Union is ranked 7th in the country in this year's National Student Survey (NSS), an annual survey of over 300,000 students at universities across the country.

The Students’ Union was ranked 7th* for representing the academic interests of students, an accolade made even more special as it’s based on feedback from real, graduating Essex students.

“We’re really pleased to see the hard work and dedication of our incredible student representatives and staff team recognised at a national level in this way” said Callum Broadbent, Vice President Education for the Students’ Union. “Supporting and representing our 17,000 student members is at the very heart of what we stand for as a Students’ Union and this has never been more important than during the last two years with the additional challenges that students have faced as a result of the pandemic. To be rated in the top ten nationally by students is an excellent achievement and everyone involved should be proud of what we’ve achieved.”

• University sees performance in NSS improve across all key areas

The Students’ Union’s success has been built upon an approach of continuing to explore new ways to represent Essex students and working in close partnership with staff at all levels of the University to achieve successful outcomes.

The Union’s representation work includes:

• A network of more than 370 trained student representatives and convenors providing direct support and representation to students at a course and faculty level
• Providing unrivalled support for students at times of stress, especially around exams, when teams of dedicated SU Exam Angels run activities and events designed to provide welfare support and even roam the campuses handing out free hot drinks and support to students revising.
• Dedicated support for Postgraduate students, particularly over the summer period
• Weekly conversation-based emails to all students providing opportunities for feedback and updates on the work that the Students’ Union is undertaking with students on their education

*Broad discipline English universities