Essex has a largely diverse student community and holds partnerships with more than 100 global higher education institutions.It was named University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards in 2018. Essex's Department of Government received Regius Professorship conferred by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013 and the university was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize on two occasions for advancing human rights in 2009 and social and economic research in 2017.

In 2025 rankings, Essex is ranked 25th in the Complete University Guide, 23rd in The Guardian University Guide and 46th by The Sunday Times. It has produced alumni in several fields across the world; these include Nobel Prize laureates, a head of state, and senior governors and politicians.