STUDENTS have ranked Essex University as the 14th best in the country.

Results from the National Student Survey shows the university has achieved a slot in the top 15 universities nationwide for the fifth year running as a total of 88 per cent of people studying there said they were satisfied with their course - above the national average of 84 per cent.

Pro-vice-chancellor professor Aletta Norval said: "I am very proud we are once again in the top 15 nationally for student satisfaction for the fifth year in a row – showing our students really do value an Essex education.

“I am especially pleased to see such positive feedback about student access to learning resources, including specialist course-specific resources, as we have invested significantly in delivering outstanding new student facilities.

"This includes our award-winning Silberrad Student Centre and library extension, our Essex Business School building at our Colchester Campus, and investment in access to learning technologies.

“We are also seeing major improvements in other areas of the student experience such as employability with our best ever destinations of leavers from higher education results.”

Essex Student's Union was ranked sixth in the standings.

Union VP for education Josh Gulrajani said: "It’s fantastic once again our university is getting the recognition it deserves for the amazing experience it gives to all students.

"As a students' union, we’re extremely proud to be ranked sixth, putting us firmly amongst the top ten students' unions of English mainstream universities.

“We’re also pleased to see improvements in the scores from black, Asian and minority ethnic students, who we have been working with to remove barriers and ensure a transformative education at Essex.

"These results are demonstrating that the work we are doing is having a real impact, and we are very proud of the great things we are achieving together.”