University of Essex

The University of Essex is a public research university in Essex, England. Established in 1963, welcomed students in 1964, and acquired university status by royal charter in 1965 – the university is a plate glass university. Essex's shield consists of the ancient arms attributed to the Kingdom of Essex, and the motto, "Thought the harder, heart the keener", is adapted from the Anglo-Saxon poem The Battle of Maldon.[8] The university comprises three campuses with its primary campus located within Wivenhoe Park (over 200 acres) and campuses in Southend-on-Sea and in Loughton.

Essex has 19 academic partnerships domestically and internationally.[9] Domestic partnerships include University of Essex Online with Kaplan,[10] Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust[11] and University of Essex International College.[12] International partnerships include a franchise arrangement with Kaplan Singapore[13] and double and dual degrees with several universities in Europe and Asia, with strong links with Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.[14][15] Essex is a founding partner of the Eastern ARC and the Young European Research Universities network; is part of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe alliance,[16] and is a member of Universities UK. The university has produced many notable alumni in several fields, including two Nobel Prize laureates, a head of state, foreign ministers, MPs, scientists, artists, politicians, authors, and filmmakers.

Essex is rated Gold for Teaching Excellence by the TEF since 2017,[17] named University of the Year at Times Higher Education Awards in 2018, a research-intensive university at 25th in 2020, and has climbed to 27th top UK university in 2022.[18] Essex's Department of Government received Regius Professorship conferred by Her Majesty, The Queen in 2013[19] 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.