Discover our Colchester Campus
We're excited to welcome you to our vibrant Colchester Campus.
Home to over 10,000 students from more than 140 countries - truly the world in one place.
Welcome to our Colchester Campus
Set within 200-acres of beautiful, award-winning parkland at Wivenhoe Park, the Colchester Campus is just three miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – Britain's first city.
Your time here will be full of opportunities to meet new people, try new things and develop new skills. Your success is at the heart of everything we do.
We have over 140 sports and societies to join, a bustling street market to enjoy, and on-campus shops and entertainment, so you’ll never be stuck for something to do.
The Students’ Union
When joining Essex, you become an automatic member of the Students’ Union. This means you help decide what gets stocked in our stores, what drinks we serve in our bars, and what we campaign for together. Whatever you want to do, we’re here to make it happen. Nothing is too big or small.
Our SU provides a range of different spaces for you to enjoy from evening activities in our bars and clubs to a range of different day time spaces such as our own Cinema, and hangout space.
The SU is the biggest student employer on campus, offering opportunities to boost your CV, meet new people, have fun and earn yourself some money at the same time.
Our ambition is to come together to celebrate and promote diversity. We expect you to work hard, play hard and all the stuff in the middle too. If that sounds like a bit of you, then come on in. We can’t wait to meet you.
Find out more about the Students’ Union.
Student accommodation
Accommodation on our Colchester Campus is more than just a room. It's your place to connect and thrive, make friends, and embrace all that the campus has to offer.
If you are wanting to transfer to Colchester Campus from Southend and wish to live in University accommodation, we'll be sharing more information in the new year. See our FAQs for more details.
Our accommodation
South Courts
Surrounded by green space in a community that feels like its own little village, located right next door to our sports centre, it’s the ideal choice for sports enthusiasts or gym goers.
The Meadows
Embrace the perfect blend of countryside living with the convenience of campus and city facilities. The Meadows boasts its own social pavilion with a common room, shop, and launderette.
The Meadows Townhouses
A homely and mature feel with a traditional house layout including a large kitchen and social area on the ground floor.
South Towers
A fresh and friendly option at Essex, with flats of up to 16 people, it’s a great place to make friends for life.
University Quays
Perfect for undergraduate or postgraduate students seeking a living space away from the bustle of campus.
North Towers
Our most iconic accommodation at Essex, centrally located at the heart of campus.
The Pastures
A modern space to unwind, study, and create lasting memories. Located on the edge of campus you have the benefit of easy access to the city and just a short walk to your classes and university activities.
The Copse
Ideal for those who like a bit of luxury, students can choose to live in an ensuite room or a studio.
Wolfson Court
Nestled in nature on the north side of campus offering a quieter option as one of the smallest residences, located at the heart of campus.
We will be hosting a series of Student Experience days early in 2026 for all current Southend students to get a feel of life at Colchester Campus and tour all available accommodation.
To find out more about our Student Experience days and student accommodation, complete the register your interest form.
Full information about accommodation on the Colchester Campus can be found on our website or see our latest online brochure.
Thinking of commuting? Our campus also has great facilities for commuting students. Overnight accommodation for 1 to 29 nights is also available with Event Essex to support those travelling. Exclusive discounts are available for Essex students.
Sport at our Colchester Campus
We are renowned for our research on the benefits of Green Exercise and we practise what we preach. We know that exercise improves your mental well being, can help you keep calm during those stressful exam periods and boosts performance in your studies.
From our 18-hole disc golf course to our 250 metre climbing wall, we've got all interests covered. With our all-weather tennis court and vast indoor facilities, it's a year-round thing too!
We have something for everyone from informal drop-in Active sessions to easy to follow learn-to sports courses. Essex Sport is our university run scheme that connects all of our amazing sports facilities, for athletes and occasional exercisers.
First, there’s the gym, home to over 160 fitness stations, on-site parking, machines with TV and audio systems and 300 fitness classes every month! Then there’s our 250-metre climbing wall with bouldering and top roping facilities to take your fitness levels to the top. Plus over 20 indoor courts, including basketball, volleyball, squash, netball and futsal.
The best part is, all students transferring to Colchester Campus in 2026-27 get an Essex Sport Silver membership.
Essex Rebels
Students get free attendance to join our award-winning game day experiences at the Essex Sport arena. We proudly boast the proudest, loudest, and most inclusive supporters club in the UK for our basketball and volleyball games. No matter where we play, or who we play, we make the gameday experience at Essex truly unforgettable and put you in the middle of the action. www.essexrebels.co.uk/
Life on campus
With its lively, state-of-the-art facilities and a close-knit international community, Colchester is the perfect environment for living and learning.
At the University of Essex we offer a series of extra-curricular activities to enhance your career outcomes. Our Careers Service team offers a variety of different services and support sessions to ensure you are making the most of your time at the University.
Food and drink on Campus
If you love food as much as we do, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s a priority at our Colchester Campus. You’ll never run out of choice, from quick grab and go outlets to more formal bookable dining.
Essex Food believes in affordable, traceable, sustainable, seasonal, locally-sourced, fresh and healthy food and drink – that’s why we are proud to call ourselves Ethics Food, as we strive to ensure all our customers have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to a sustainability and ethical food future.
Our library
The Albert Sloman Library provides all students on our Colchester Campus with plenty of opportunities to study and research. We provide access to numerous computer spaces and over a million books for our student community.
The Library and Cultural Services team provide referencing and study support. Our library is also home to one of only two functioning Paternoster lifts in the UK!
Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
Located on campus, the Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery offers a wide variety of stimulating and interactive activities for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.
Our dedicated areas include indoor and outdoor space for sand and water play, creative one-on-one activities and rest areas. We understand that choosing childcare is an important decision. If you would like to visit us to get a feel for our nursery and see the care we provide, our dedicated Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery team will be happy to show you around and answer any questions.
Teaching how to do business better
Essex Business School at our Colchester Campus provides excellent facilities including a state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Floor, a range of learning spaces, an on-site café and a stunning winter garden.
We’re also part of the Knowledge Gateway research and technology park allowing us to create close links with the 50+ businesses based there and the many organisations connected to its programme of events.
The nearby Innovation Centre is also home to our Essex Startups team and our business engagement team with the largest portfolio of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with companies in the UK.
Making a difference
Our Award-winning Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub is a state-of-the-art centre designed to improve health and wellbeing across our region. Working in partnership with NHS England and local Integrated Care Boards, we deliver innovative services, training, and research that make a real difference.
The Hub offers:
- Student Placements – Hands-on experience for future health and care professionals.
- Community-Facing Services – Accessible support for adults, children, and carers both online and in person.
- Research and Innovation – Driving improvements in health and wellbeing services.
The Hub’s vision is to be a centre of excellence for health-related research and workforce development, creating community-oriented services that improve public health and wellbeing.
Explore the city
The city of Colchester is ideally located just 50 miles North-East of London. It is near to the coast of East Anglia, on the border with Suffolk.
Our wonderful city is home to a thriving arts and cultural scene – with theatres and galleries offering a wide selection of events and exhibitions throughout the year. Highlights include the Mercury Theatre, Firstsite and Colchester Arts Centre.
The Colchester Campus backs onto the picturesque riverside village of Wivenhoe; the ideal location for scenic walks along the quay, a spot of paddle boarding, a browse in the village bookshop, and a hearty pub lunch.
Travel and transport
Colchester benefits from good transport links and is just a 50-minute train ride to London Liverpool Street and an even shorter journey to Stratford.
There are regular buses to the city centre and if you are travelling under your own steam there are plenty of spaces for cars and bikes.
Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from Stansted Airport in under one hour.
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