Students can meet up easily on campus between lectures and seminars.

The University of Essex is once again bucking the national trend and proving a popular choice of university for UK undergraduate applicants, with an increase of nearly five per cent in applications by the UCAS deadline on 15 January.

This rise at Essex compares with a decline in applications across the UK with the most recent UCAS figures showing a national drop.

Essex has seen significant rises in applications over recent years, as the University has focused on continually enhancing the living and learning experience for its students, including investing more than £200 million in new buildings and facilities. This has helped Essex to maintain its position as one of the top 20 universities in England for student satisfaction.

The University also continues to receive national recognition for the outstanding opportunities, support and facilities provided to students:

• Our multi-award winning Students' Union is in the top 10 for nightlife according to Which? University and is ranked in the top 20 by the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey.
• Essex is in the top 20 in the world for universities under 50 years old according to Times Higher Education’s ‘Top 100 under 50’ rankings.
• Students voted Essex into the top ten for accommodation in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (2011) and the University also enjoys one of the highest overall satisfaction ratings according to the National Student Housing Survey – coming first in 2009 then second in 2010 and 2011.
• The Employability and Careers Centre has been shortlisted twice for national awards this year – the National Placement and Internship Awards and the National Council for Work Experience Awards.
• Student successes this year include Essex teams winning The Prince’s Trust Million Makers competition and the Virgin Media 100 Day Game Project.

SU President Nathan Bolton said: “"That applications to Essex have risen, despite national decline is highly encouraging. The University is a fantastic environment for living and learning with a vibrant tradition and our Students' Union is central to that."

• Discover more about why our students chose to study at Essex on the University of Essex Vimeo channel

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jules Pretty, said: “Essex is a top ten research University and we deliver excellence in research-led teaching. We are continuing to improve and develop our facilities and services to support our commitment to offering outstanding campus-based learning experiences to our students.”

Recent initiatives have included offering all Essex students the chance to study a language for free alongside their degree; the opportunity to study, work or volunteer abroad as part of nearly all courses; and internship and employment opportunities such as the pioneering Frontrunners scheme which provides paid employment within the University to hundreds of students.

With the rise in undergraduate tuition fees during 2012, the University awarded nearly £1.4 million in scholarships and bursaries to ensure the brightest and most able students could benefit from an Essex degree, regardless of household income.