Program Overview

Introduction to the Big Essex Award

The Big Essex Award is a program designed to celebrate extracurricular achievement and recognize students' commitment to personal development. This award is recorded on students' transcripts (HEAR or FAR), providing a formal acknowledgment of their efforts beyond academic pursuits.

How the Big Essex Award Works

To participate in the Big Essex Award, students must complete activities worth 3, 4, or 5 units. These units are logged for verification, and students can collect enough units to achieve different levels of the award:

• Bronze 5 units
• Silver 10 units
• Gold 15 units
• Platinum 20 units

The Transformation of the Big Essex Award

The Big Essex Award is undergoing a transformation to better support students' future careers and life beyond the University of Essex. A new award is scheduled to launch in October 2026, making the current academic year the last chance for students to achieve the current Big Essex Award.

Participation and Engagement

Students can get started with the Big Essex Award through GradIntel. The program is closely linked with Chart My Path, a tool that helps students explore and engage with various activities.

Conclusion

The Big Essex Award offers students a unique opportunity to enhance their personal development, extracurricular engagement, and future career prospects. By participating in this program, students can demonstrate their commitment to growth and achievement, setting themselves apart in their academic and professional journeys.