The International Programmes Office provides assistance to students from over 120 countries. In addition to access to a full range of courses, exchange students at Essex can take advantage of numerous opportunities for extracurricular interests and sports. The university has an active Students' Union which administers over 100 clubs and societies as well as the largest pub in East Anglia. In addition, the University Theatre puts on both professional and student productions. Exchange students at Essex are guaranteed housing in a single room.
Public transportation is available for all off-campus housing.
Most students at Essex live in towers or flats which have shared kitchen, dining, and bathroom facilities. Some rooms with private baths are available as well. Spring semester exchange students are provided housing through the one-month vacation period in April. Wivenhoe Park is just a few miles from the regional city of Colchester , Britain's oldest recorded town. Colchester is known as the cultural capital of the county of Essex, offering museums, galleries, an arts centre, theatres, shopping facilities, restaurants, nightclubs, and more.