Essex University - Student Life

Housing: Reasonably priced off-campus accommodation (standards monitored by university).

Eats & drinks: Alcoholic (average pint £1.70) and non-alcoholic facilities on campus, hot and cold food outlets; fast food, coffee and salad bar (average meal £2.20). Trendy bars like Edwards and V Bar with good atmosphere. Food varies, including Pizza Express, Noodle Bar, Yates's, ASK.

Nightlife: SU provides an extremely diverse range of daily entertainments. Good university theatre and recently re-launched FilmSoc. Recent acts include Ms Dynamite, Judge Jules, Sugababes and Polyphonic Spree.

Sports: Refurbished sports centre with gym and fitness room, as well as astroturf training ground.

Hardship: University and SU funds available.

Annual living costs: The average amount students live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition fees) is £6200 (in uni accommodation), £7000 (in private accommodation).

Jobs: Union and university both provide work in their outlets (summer and term time). JobShop has details of jobs off campus, locally and further afield.

More info: Check the SU website at www.essexstudent.com

Past students: Brian Hanrahan (BBC News 24); Sir Howard Newby (Higher Education Funding Council for England); Virginia Bottomley MP; Nick Broomfield (documentary film maker); President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica (Nobel Peace Prize 1987); Ben Okri (writer); Alison Steadman (Olivier Best Actress award); David Triesman (General Secretary Labour Party).