Choosing where to study business is as much about the environment as it is about the curriculum. If you are looking at the University of Essex, you have likely asked yourself, “is the University of Essex good for Finance and Management?” or “what should I know before choosing this degree?” While a brochure can show you the award-winning architecture, it can’t tell you what it’s like to balance a management essay with a finance exam during a cold Colchester winter.
At Already Doing It (alreadydoingit.co.uk), we believe the best way to choose a university is to hear from someone who is in the lecture halls right now. We connect you with vetted peer mentors currently studying at Essex—students who can provide a truly honest review of the course at the University of Essex because they are actually living it.
Essex Business School (EBS) is famous for being the UK’s first zero-carbon business school. But beyond the winter garden and the solar panels, what is it really like to study Finance and Management at the University of Essex on a day-to-day basis? This is a great topic to explore with a peer mentor.
You might want to ask a mentor about:
The Academic Split: How do you realistically manage the jump between quantitative finance (the heavy math) and qualitative management (the theory and people skills)? A mentor can tell you which side of the degree usually feels more demanding.
The Learning Environment: Does the “zero-carbon” building actually feel like a futuristic place to study, or is it just a nice backdrop? You might ask where the best quiet spots are to get work done between lectures.
Ethical Finance: Does the “ethical” vibe of the building translate into the teaching? A student can tell you if sustainability and ethics are integrated into the finance modules or if they are just a side note.
The Global Reputation: As a top-200 global school for finance, does the academic pressure feel “elite,” or is the atmosphere more collaborative and supportive?
By chatting with someone already doing it, you can figure out if the modern, fast-paced culture of EBS matches your own career ambitions.
The University of Essex provides tools that mimic the City of London, but you might wonder how much “hands-on” time you actually get with them. Furthermore, with major changes happening to the campus structure in 2026, you’ll want the most up-to-date perspective.
Topics to discuss with an Already Doing It mentor include:
The Bloomberg Experience: How easy is it to actually get a seat in the Bloomberg Financial Market Lab? A mentor can tell you if you use the terminals for every module or if they are reserved for specific projects.
The Colchester Consolidation: With the Business School consolidating at the Colchester Campus in Summer 2026, what does this mean for student life? You can ask a mentor how the Colchester facilities—like the library and the “Sub Zero” nightclub—compare to what was available at Southend.
The Social Scene: Is the Colchester campus as “legendary” as people say? A student can give you an honest review of the social life and whether the “plate-glass” campus vibe makes it easier to meet people from other departments.
Daily Logistics: If the school is moving, how is the accommodation situation changing? A mentor can give you the “insider” tip on which halls are the best for business students.
Essex is known for being inclusive, but the Finance department still needs to know you can handle the numbers. If you are drafting your personal statement, you might be wondering how to prove your “quantitative potential” without sounding like a calculator.
Questions to explore with a vetted mentor at alreadydoingit.co.uk regarding your application:
The Math Requirement: If you didn’t do A-level Maths, how do you prove you’re ready for the finance modules? A mentor can share how they used school projects or Excel experience to stand out.
The CFA Scholarships: Essex offers scholarships for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification. You might ask a mentor how early you should start mentioning professional qualifications in your application to be considered for these.
The Placement Year: Many students aim for placements at companies like BMW or Samsung. A mentor who has navigated the EBS career hub can tell you what the university actually does to help you land those high-profile roles.
The Personal Statement Hook: What was the one thing in their application that they think made the admissions team say “yes”?
Connecting with a mentor allows you to move past the marketing and understand the real-world logic that gets students into the Essex Business School.
Deciding where to study is a strategic move for your future, and you deserve more than just a brochure to go on. If you want to know what is it really like to study Finance and Management at the University of Essex, the most reliable source is a student who is currently using the Bloomberg terminals and navigating the Colchester campus.
The only way to get the real answer is to talk to someone already doing it. Find your mentor at alreadydoingit.co.uk.
© 2026 Already Doing It Ltd. All rights reserved. The information on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional career or admissions advice. Student Mentor Sessions and Our Insider Guides reflect student perspectives; always verify specific course details, entry requirements, and module lists with the official University Prospectus before applying.
