Choosing a psychology degree is about more than just studying “the mind”—it’s about choosing a perspective. If you are looking at the University of Essex, you have likely asked yourself, “is the University of Essex good for Psychology?” or “how much science is actually involved?” While a brochure can show you the Colchester campus, it can’t tell you what it feels like to run your first experiment in the brain science labs or the reality of the “radical” academic culture.
At Already Doing It (alreadydoingit.co.uk), we believe the best way to understand a course is to talk to those who are currently in the thick of it. We connect you with vetted peer mentors currently studying at Essex—students who can provide an honest review of the Psychology course at the University of Essex because they are living it every day.
Essex has a long history of being “radical” and questioning the status quo. But beyond the reputation, what is it really like to study Psychology at the University of Essex? This is a great topic to explore with a peer mentor who understands the departmental culture.
You might want to ask a mentor about:
The “Radical” Approach: How does the department encourage you to question theories rather than just memorize them? Does this make the exams harder or more interesting?
Research Power: Since Essex is ranked highly for research power, how much of that “cutting-edge” science actually makes it into your first-year lectures?
The Colchester Vibe: Does the campus really feel like a “mini-city”? A mentor can tell you where the best study spots are and how the “focused community” of researchers actually interacts.
BPS Accreditation: How does the course balance the requirements of the British Psychological Society with the experimental freedom the department is known for?
The “insider” secret at Essex is the level of access you get to high-end technology. But a guide won’t tell you how easy it is to actually get your hands on the kit.
Topics to discuss with an Already Doing It mentor include:
Hands-on with TMS and EEG: Do undergraduates really get to use Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or EEG? A mentor can share their experience of using these tools for their final-year projects.
The Eye-Tracking Lab: What kind of experiments can you actually run in the eye-tracking lab?
The “Mini-City” Lifestyle: Is living and studying on a self-contained campus intense in a good way, or can it feel a bit isolated? A student can give you the real story on the social life in Colchester.
The Statistics Jump: Psychology involves a lot of data. You might ask a mentor how the department supports students who might find the “STEM” side of psychology challenging.
Essex is a global powerhouse for social psychology. If you are drafting your personal statement, a mentor can help you refine your “social phenomenon” hook.
Questions to explore with a vetted mentor at alreadydoingit.co.uk regarding your application:
The Social Psychology Angle: How did successful applicants connect “real-world” issues like groupthink or social media influence to psychological theory in their statement?
The “Real World” Bridge: How do you show that you can bridge the gap between lab research and societal change?
The Placement Year Decision: Should you aim for a placement at a place like Great Ormond Street or the NHS? A mentor who has navigated the career hub can tell you what the application process is really like.
The Personal Statement Hook: What specific psychological theory did they mention that they think grabbed the admissions team’s attention?
Connecting with a mentor allows you to move past the marketing and understand the real-world logic that secures a place at one of the UK’s most research-intensive psychology departments.
Deciding where to study the brain and behavior is a life-shaping choice. You deserve more than just a brochure to go on. If you want to know what is it really like to study Psychology at the University of Essex, the most reliable source is a student who is currently navigating the labs and the “radical” seminars.
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. Insider Sessions and Our Insider Guides reflect perspectives; always verify specific course details, entry requirements, and module lists with the official University Prospectus before applying.
