With normal studies being disrupted due to Covid-19, UK-based University of Essex today announced Essex Preparation Programme (EPP), a free online course to help incoming students become university-ready. The online course, which is offered at no cost to students, is especially designed to get students from India and around the world ready for their university studies. Over six weeks, students explore independent learning, critical thinking, academic integrity and many more areas. The course is open to anyone applying for undergraduate study at the University of Essex and if they complete the course and register to study at Essex for the 2022-23 academic year, they will qualify for a £250 (Rs 24,000) financial assistance. Completion of the EPP is optional, but University of Essex believes it will give students a great start to their studies. 

University of Essex launched EPP last year to help incoming students. The course was welcomed by school and college students, as well as had positive feedback from teachers and school advisors and had a positive impact on student success. 

Last year more than 1,750 students enrolled in the six-week programme, which involved 12 live Zoom workshop sessions coupled with an online course. This year University of Essex is expecting more students will take part in the EPP, which has been further developed following student feedback and will be integrated with other student preparation programmes and activities during Welcome Week at Essex. 

New for this year, Essex is also offering a MPP (Masters Preparation Programme) for post-graduate students. Essex also offers two other programmes, one for Years 12 and 13 and one for Years 10 and 11, which are designed to be a high-quality source of information, advice and guidance which students can work through independently or teachers can use in the classroom.