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University of Essex Online
University of Essex Online

University of Essex Online

About

The University of Essex Online delivers 100% online and part-time courses in business, computing, education, health, law, criminology and psychology. The qualifications we offer include CertHEs and Bachelors degrees at the undergraduate level, and online professional courses, PG Certs, PG Dips and Masters degrees at postgraduate level, with study durations ranging from 3 months to 4 years. You can study with us from anywhere with an internet connection and at a time that suits your schedule best. Your course will be delivered through a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE), which provides you with 24/7 access to high-quality resources, including lecture casts, discussion forums, live seminars and Q&A sessions, as well as extensive eLibrary. Even your assessments will be completed entirely online – none of our courses has a requirement to travel to testing facilities or exam centres. In fact, the majority of our courses don’t have exams at all! For the few courses that have exam requirements, we use a virtual proctoring system that enables you to sit academically rigorous exams from the comfort of your own home. Otherwise, you’ll be completing written assignments, taking part in discussion forums or writing reflective journal entries. Whether you're an experienced professional looking to progress your career or a recent graduate who wants to boost their CV, online study is a cost-effective, convenient and flexible way to get ahead.

Why study with us?

We're ranked 12th in the Guardian University Guide 2026 and are one of the longest-running providers of 100% online degrees in the UK. All our courses are specifically designed for online delivery, combining gold standard teaching with the latest technology and enabling you to study from anywhere in the world.

We’re proud to be rated Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) undertaken by Office for Students (OfS). This recognises our commitment to delivering high quality student experiences, with outstanding ratings achieved for learning environment and academic support – as well as teaching assessment and feedback.

The University of Essex Online achieved excellence for teaching, organisation and management, and learning opportunities in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS).

2025 result highlights

  • 4 in 5 students said teaching staff supported their learning
  • 81% of students believe their feedback was valued by staff
  • 9 in 10 students felt their course helped them develop skills for the future
  • 89% of students believe their course was well organised
  • 91% of respondents believe their course was intellectually stimulating

We're proud to be rated Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Rankings 2024. Our achievement, which is based on four pillars - resources, engagement, outcomes and environment - recognises our commitment to excellent online education.

Our online tutors are specialists in their respective fields. They are passionate about what they teach and combine their knowledge of industry practice with high-quality academic delivery, offering you an unparalleled learning experience.

Our team of dedicated student advisers and study skills specialists provide world-class mentoring and academic support to you from your first day to graduation. The team will be on hand to help and guide you as you progress through your studies. Whatever the question or issue, they will work with you to find a solution.

All our qualifications are awarded and validated by the University of Essex, an award-winning university with a 60-year heritage of teaching and research excellence. Upon completing your studies, you’ll be invited to graduate from the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. You will receive the same certificate as campus-based students – your mode of study is only mentioned on your academic transcript.

Fees and funding options

University education is one of the biggest investments in yourself and your career. Our tuition fees are the same for all students, in the UK and internationally – and it includes all teaching materials and required reading. There aren't any hidden charges for assessments or resits!

We also offer students a range of tuition fee discounts, scholarships, and payment options for our online courses.*

  • Alumni discount: Graduates from the University of Essex or University of Essex Online are eligible for a 10% discount.
  • Full payment discount: Pay the full tuition fee upfront and you will get a 5% discount.
  • International scholarship: Partial scholarship available to international students residing in specific regions outside of the UK.
  • Student loan: Our CertHE programmes and Bachelors and Masters degrees are designated for student loans from Student Finance England.
  • Monthly payment plan: Available for those who are self-funding.

*Please note that a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied, and two scholarships cannot be applied in combination. For more information on our discounts and scholarships and to discuss your eligibility please contact our Admissions team.

Gaining a qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2024 Career and Employability Survey showed:

  • 7 in 10 undergraduate students would recommend us to a friend
  • 4 in 5 undergraduates said their studies helped career progression
  • Over 80% of postgraduates saw a salary increase
  • 3 in 5 postgraduate alumni said their degree helped them gain a promotion
  • 2 in 5 students feel ready to make a career change
  • 90% of students felt better prepared for their career after studying with us

    Top 15 UK university

    The University of Essex has moved up to 12th place in the Guardian University Guide 2026.

    TEF

    We’re proud to be rated Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) undertaken by the Office for Students (OfS). This recognizes our commitment to delivering high-quality student experiences, with outstanding ratings achieved for the learning environment and academic support – as well as teaching assessment and feedback.

    NSS

    The University of Essex Online achieved excellence for teaching, organisation and management, and learning opportunities in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS).

    • Leeds

      Albion Street

    • QM88+QV

      QM88+QV, United Kingdom

    University of Essex Online