A Welcome Change in the Admissions Procedure for Post-Graduate Study at Essex University

It has recently been confirmed that applicants for post-graduate courses at Essex require not two references but only one. The reference can also be from an employer if the applicant has not been in education for five years.

Before this reform, an application to Essex University for a Masters degree would require two references that would have to be academic ones. The references were supposed to be from an academic who has knowledge of the applicant’s academic ability through having taught or supervised the applicant, and should include a positive recommendation that he is suitable for the course that he is applying for. Obviously with such stringent requirements many international students would find it difficult to find suitable references and apply to Essex, especially if they have been at full time work for an extended period of time. With the reform of the admissions process talented potential students originally turned off can now apply with more confidence no matter their origin or age.

The change was kindly confirmed by Tim Gutsell, director of the international office: “From now on, the University of Essex requires one reference (and not two) as part of the application process for our Masters courses.” This improvement should ease the transition into a Masters degree at Essex for students from full time work and from overseas.

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