welcome to the su family*

*You’re now officially a member of Essex Students’ Union (or SU for short). Welcome! 😙

We’re a family of 17,000 unique and wonderful Essex students and 100% the best membership you’ll ever be part of (did we mention it’s FREE too?!?).

We’ll help you get a great degree, meet new friends, create change and grow as a person.

Ready to see what we’ve got in store for you? Scroll on down… 🌟🎓

Don’t miss a thing

BE IN THE KNOW

BE IN THE KNOW

and follow us on socials @essexsusouthend

su EVENTS

We’ve got lots of FREE events, activities and opportunities to meet new friends during your first weeks and beyond. Designed to help you settle into University life and make your start at Essex unforgettable 🌟🎉

SU SPACES

Your FREE SU Membership will give you access to…

  • SU Lounge

    The SU Lounge is the place to go if you want to chill or study with your friends. We've got a great selection of low cost meals, snacks and drinks all at student-friendly prices. You can find the SU Lounge next to the Gateway Building (Studio K).

  • The Mezz

    The Mezz is a social space that is open even after the SU Lounge closes. We’ve got sofas, chairs, microwaves and game table. You can find The Mezz on the first floor of the SU Lounge. You can access The Mezz after the SU Lounge closes via the second floor of the Gateway Building.

MEET YOUR PEOPLE

  • Societies

    Looking for friends who share your interests? Look no further.

    Looking for members who share your faith, cultural background? Or just want to connect with those who share the same interests? You can find our student-led societies here : www.essexstudent.com/southend/juststart/societies/ . And if there isn’t one for you, you can easily start your own!

  • Just Play

    Just Play is our FREE social sport programme based around getting active, making friends and having fun.

    We can't wait to welcome everyone back and to say hello to new faces! We're planning exciting regular training sessions and special one off sessions so keep your eyes peeled 👀.

  • Meet other Essex students on our app!

    You don’t need to wait until you arrive to start talking with other Essex students!

    Our app, ‘Umii’, connects you to other Essex students with similar interests or on the same course and then lets you message them through the app.

    It’s super simple, free to use, and has already helped thousands of Essex students connect and make friends before arriving 🤝🎉

    Download from 1 September.

    Download for iPhone Download for Android

  • Connect with us (& other Southend students) on socials...

    Stay up to date with everything that’s happening at Southend @essexsusouthend.

    Find fellow newbies to set up grabbing a drink, or ask returning students your burning questions.

YOUR SU MEMBERSHIP

Your key to an epic university experience.

With everything you need to make the most of your time here. Get ready to dive in and have a blast 🌟🎓

  • So, you picked Essex for your course, huh? Smart move! Here's the deal: we're all about helping you get a kickass qualification and scoring that dream job! (And maybe, just maybe, you were drawn in by our awesome SU 😉)

  • The biggest adventure of your life? It’s just around the corner. During your time at Essex, you'll embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery, finding your passions, and shaping your future self. And we've got your back every step of the way!

  • Because university life is about more than earning a degree. It's your time to dive into your passions and interests, while making lifelong friends who share them too. Your uniqueness is your superpower, and we celebrate that!

  • Hey there, change-maker! Essex is the place where your voice matters, and making a difference is the name of the game.

    We've built a membership that celebrates your uniqueness. Your passions, your personality, and your needs take centre stage here. Find your voice with us.

  • University life can be a rollercoaster of emotions - the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Stress, anxiety, and sadness are all part of the package, but you're not alone.

    Reach out whenever you need a chat, a laugh, or someone to lean on. Together, we'll make your uni experience unforgettable, with great memories and genuine support.

 

RUN BY STUDENTS

So, who’s in charge of the Students’ Union? Students are – specifically the seven Student Leaders who are elected each year, by you, to run the place.

The Student Leaders are recent graduates or students, just like you, taking a year out of studies to work full-time (paid) and represent Essex students. They cover; Welfare, Education, Community & Engagement, Student Experience, International and Southend. Meet your 2023-24 team…

SU ADVICE

It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed.  SU Advice can give you free, confidential, independent and impartial advice on lots of issues. 

More than ever we are here for you, to give you the advice and support you might need.  

Whether you're worried about a specific issue or just fancy a chat, please find all the ways you can get in touch here.

GETTING TO CAMPUS

GETTING TO CAMPUS

Moving to a new village, town city or county can be daunting, especially when you can’t figure out how to get from place to place.

Here’s a guide on how to find your way to your new home.

Welcome to YOUR

NEW LIFE IN The UK 

If you’re coming to the UK for then we’ve got some great news - the SU is here to help you settle in, get to know your new home and love living in Essex! 

Here at Essex SU we have a booming International community where you can meet other students who are new to the UK, and make new friends from across the world.

We’ll also give you the chance to explore UK culture and try everything that Essex and the UK has to offer.

 

We can’t wait to meet you

in October

Until then, you can find us on socials @essexsusouthend