Welcometo the University of Essex

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster Thursday 20 September 2012

Our founding principles and vision

Founded in 1964, we are interdisciplinary, international and inclusive.

Our visionWe are a globally competitive, research intensive, student-focused university that takes seriously its economic, social and cultural responsibilities to the eastern region, the UK and the world.

Today we have 16 departments and schools, and more than 30 centres and institutes.

Our four academic faculties

Faculty of Social SciencesProfessor David SandersPro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise

Faculty of Law and ManagementProfessor Nigel SouthPro-Vice-Chancellor Academic Partnerships

Faculty of Humanities and Comparative StudiesProfessor Jane Wright Pro-Vice-Chancellor Academic Standards

Supported by the Professional Services

Faculty of Science and EngineeringProfessor Jules PrettyDeputy Vice-Chancellor Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sustainability and Resources

Our national profile

Ranked 9th in the UK for the quality of our research.

Ranked 20th out of all mainstream English universities for student satisfaction.

In the ‘1994 Group’ of 15 UK universities – others include Bath, UEA, Goldsmiths, Reading and Sussex.

Partner institutions are Colchester Institute, Kaplan Open Learning, South Essex College, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, University Campus Suffolk and Writtle College.

About our students

Our students come from 132 countries

Colchester students 11,439Southend students 982Loughton students 444Total students 12,863 

29 per cent are postgraduate students 36 per cent are UK undergraduates from low-income households (< £25k) 16 per cent of our students come from the EU 22 per cent of our students come from outside the EU/international 17 per cent of our undergraduate students are ‘mature’ students

A successful and ambitious institution

We aim to provide the highest quality education for our students – and a first-class student experience

We aim to maintain our position as one of the UK’s top ten universities for research quality

We are committed to research-led teaching, our curriculum is informed by latest research, and our students undertake research themselves

We aim to be in the top 25 in the Times UK league table

Our £200m capital investment programme is improving educational facilities across Colchester, Southend and Loughton Campuses

Changes in Higher Education

The 2011 Higher Education White Paper represented far-reaching reform for the sector – but the Bill has been postponed.

What has this meant for the University?

We now charge £9,000 per year tuition fees We have measures in place to support students from low-income families We are operating within an increasingly competitive environment and student expectations are high Visa restrictions have the potential to impact on our international

students

And not covered in the White Paper: a vision for the sector, research strategy or postgraduates

2012 and beyond – highlights

2012Research income up to £25.5mEssex Centre for the Study of Integrity created€1 million funding to study the economics of social networks Biological sciences five-year research project on drought-resistant cropsAcademic expansion strategy –100 new academic staff over five years

2013-2014Preparing for the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF)

Revising the strategic plan for 2013 onwards

We are revising the University’s strategic plan for 2013 onwards.

This will involve ongoing consultation with Senate, staff and students.

The final strategic plan and vision to be approved in 2013.

Contact detailsProfessor Anthony Forster FHEA FRSA AcSS

E-mail: vc@essex.ac.ukWebsite: www.essex.ac.uk/vcTwitter: @Forster_Anthony