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University of Essex homepage About Faculty of Social Sciences
About

Faculty of Social Sciences

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Our Faculty makes Essex a world-leading social science University

Social scientists at Essex are seeking to change the world by asking critical questions and challenging convention. Our trusted academics use pioneering methodologies; they draw on their extensive global research networks to uncover inconvenient truths, test and refine dominant theories, develop new areas of knowledge, and produce robust evidence to support their work.

We are keen to work with like-minded partners across the globe. We invite you to join us in further developing our work, teaching, infrastructure, research relationships, global networks and expertise; all of which contribute to a world-leading destination for social science research.

We encourage you to explore the Faculty and learn more about what makes us a vibrant hub of social science education and research. Here you will find links to our highly-rated academic departments, pioneering research infrastructures, highlights from our cutting edge research and details of our dedicated Faculty team.

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What makes
us world leaders?

Four social science subjects are in the UK top 10 for research quality (REF 2021)
Ranked 18th for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on Reduced Inequalities  (THE 2023)
We hold the Queen's Anniversary Prize for world-leading social science research
We were awarded the UK's first and only Regius Professorship of Political Science
We house the UK Data Archive, the UK's only nationally-funded research infrastructure for social science data
We are home to the Chief Scientific Advisor to Essex County Council
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Female student writing on a whiteboard
Essex receives Queen's Anniversary Prize
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Our Departments
  • We’re in the top 100 globally for politics and international studies and we're 73rd globally for sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
  • The Faculty hosts four social science subjects which are in the UK top 10 for research quality (grade point average, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
  • We have Q-Step-Affiliate Status funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England
Essex Business School
Department of Economics
Department of Government
Department of Language and Linguistics
Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Department of Sociology and Criminology
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Why choose Essex in Clearing?

We know choosing a university is a big deal. You need sometimes that feels like home from the moment you step foot on campus, and where you feel empowered to stand up for what you believe in to shape the world for the better. If that's sounding good, welcome home...

Why choose Essex this October?
Our research structures
  • The UK Data Archive (UKDA) is a global centre of excellence in acquiring, curating and providing access to social science and humanities data. Their practices have been influential across the world.
  • ESSEXLab is a dedicated social science research laboratory, leading the way for experimental social science research. The laboratory welcomes both staff and students to conduct and participate in pioneering research.
  • The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) is a leading centre for the production and analysis of longitudinal studies.
UK Data Archive
ESSEXLab
Institute of Social and Economic Research
Our teaching and research

Learn more about our world-class teaching and research

Discover our research Centres, learn more about our teaching and the dedicated research facilities of the Faculty.
Our Q-Step Centre

Learn about Q-Step degree pathways

We are one of only 17 prestigious institutions in the UK to be awarded Q-Step Centre Status.
Our people

Meet the Faculty team

Learn more about our key role holders and view the latest job opportunities in the Faculty.
Latest news from the Faculty of Social Sciences
Project to support early career researchers in Kenya
15 Aug 2024
Working from home is stifling innovation – study finds
30 Jul 2024
Three researchers appointed British Academy Fellows
24 Jul 2024
Colchester campus aerial view
Contact us
Faculty of Social Sciences University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ
Telephone: 01206 872690
University of Essex University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ
Telephone: 01206 873333
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  • +44 (0) 1206 873333
  • University of Essex
  • Wivenhoe Park
  • Colchester CO4 3SQ

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