Student Accommodation near University of Essex

Unlike London's high cost of living, life at the University of Essex Colchester is much more cost-effective. With lower prices, supermarket offers, and student discounts, you can save money while enjoying the richness and variety of life in the UK. The cost of living at the University of Essex is about £600 to £800 per month exclusive Essex University housing rent. 

University of Essex Colchester accommodation:

• On-campus accommodation prices: £82.88 to £282.87 per week, the lowest rate is for a shared twin en-suite at South Courts, while standard single rooms start from £127.89 per week. 
• Essex University Accommodation: £129 to £215 per week

Monthly Living Expenses Breakdown:

• Groceries: £144/month
• Household bills and utilities: £88/month
• Going out, clothes, shopping and eating out: £179/month
• Transport: £65/month
• Mobile phone: £16/month
• Course materials: £18/month
• Health and wellbeing: £22/month

The University of Essex benefits from effective transportation systems, making it exceptionally convenient for students to navigate both academic and social pursuits. The University's central location places it within walking distance of many essential amenities. Students can explore a wide range of transport services in Colchester, from the affordable bus to convenient cycling. Below are the reliable modes of transport near your University of Essex student accommodation:

Bus Service

Buses are one of the easiest ways to travel between University of Essex student accommodation, the Colchester Campus and the city centre. Routes 51 and 87 serve the university, while S1 and 87 are useful for students travelling between Colchester Station and campus. A single local bus journey starts from around £2.50, and students can buy a discounted First UoE bus pass for unlimited travel within their selected Colchester zone.

For airport travel, the X20 Airlink connects Stansted Airport with Colchester for around £3 one way. National Express also operates between Stansted Airport and Colchester City Centre, where students can change to a local bus or taxi for the campus.

Train & National Travel

Colchester North Station is about 3.5 kilometres from the Essex Uni Colchester campus and takes about 10 minutes by bus. The station offers trains to London, Cambridge, Ipswich and other cities. Students can get a 1/3 discount with a 16-25 Railcard. In addition, National Express coaches also serve Colchester from major UK cities and airports. 

Cycling

Riding is a great alternative for those who don't like to take public transportation. The university provides a dedicated cycle park near Rayleigh Tower with space for 272 bicycles, as well as cycle racks around North Towers, University Quays, South Courts, the Sports Centre and other campus locations.

It takes about 20-25 minutes to cycle from the Colchester town centre to the campus. Bike storage is available in our University of Essex student accommodation, offering convenience for students. 

Driving & Parking

Students who drive can use paid parking at the University of Essex Colchester Campus, although public transport is usually more practical for daily travel. Campus parking is cashless and paid through Parksmart, with visitor rates currently starting from £2.70 for up to two hours. The university also provides EV charging points for electric vehicles.

As an international university, Essex is renowned for its vibrant and diverse campus life: the Students' Union is committed to developing a wide range of student activities, such as organising a 10,000-strong football festival, the much-anticipated fireworks display, as well as regular arts and crafts workshops and events, and even tailor-made social events for socially-unprejudiced students. The University of Essex Students' Union has been ranked in the top 7 in the UK for academic interest support for many years and has been nominated for the King's Award for Volunteering. Built to international standards at a cost of £12 million, the Essex Sport Arena has a capacity of 1,655 spectators and includes a total of 23 sports courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton and indoor football. In addition to the indoor sports arena, the Colchester campus also has an outdoor sports area, which covers a full 40 acres and features an 18-hole disc golf course, all-weather tennis courts, and a five-a-side football pitch, ensuring that studying abroad is never boring for anyone!

Convenient transport links not only make it easy for students to travel between Uni of Essex accommodation and campus but also extend campus life to the city's popular venues. Campus venue SU Bar is the main meeting place on campus, where you can find a quiet corner to study or enjoy a meal with friends while watching a sporting event. If you want to relax over lunch with a game of darts, come to Top Bar! In your spare time, you can go hiking in the nearby nature reserve or explore the ruins of the Roman Theatre, switch on the shopping at the downtown mall or have a drink and relax at the local Roberts or Rubix bars. The University of Essex offers a fulfilling academic journey and an enjoyable social life.

The University of Essex offers access to unique attractions, whether you're into history, nature, or coastal experiences! Well-located Essex University accommodation is convenient for students to reach popular tourist attractions. Here are some of the tourist attractions near the University of Essex:

• Colchester Castle
• Colchester Zoo
• Beth Chatto Gardens
• Dedham Vale & Flatford Mill
• Layer Marney Tower
• Mersea Island
• Highwoods Country Park
• Roman Circus Visitor Centr
• Firstsite Gallery
• Jumbo Water Tower

The University of Essex offers a diverse range of popular courses across various disciplines, attracting students worldwide. Popular courses at Essex University for undergraduates and postgraduates are listed as follows:

• Mineral and Mining Engineering-14th
• Geophysics-30th
• Geology-34th
• Classics and Ancient History-34th
• Geography-37th
• Archaeology-44th
• Environmental Sciences-39th
• English Language and Literature-46th

Wivenhoe, Greenstead, The Hythe and Colchester City Centre are popular areas for student accommodation near the University of Essex. Wivenhoe and Greenstead keep students closer to Colchester Campus, while The Hythe has several purpose-built student properties. Colchester City Centre works better for students who want more shops, restaurants and nightlife alongside campus access.

Yes, you can find furnished student accommodation near University of Essex on uhomes.com. Common furnishings can include a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe and storage, while kitchens and communal areas vary between buildings.

Most of our University of Essex Colchester accommodation included all utility bills like water, electricity, and internet. However, it is essential to confirm with the "Fee page" whether utilities are included or if you will need to pay for them separately. 

University of Essex student accommodation may include study spaces, communal lounges, gyms, games rooms, laundry facilities, bike storage and Wi-Fi. Selected buildings also offer security features such as CCTV, secure entry or on-site staff.

Yes, some University of Essex student accommodation may offer short-term or flexible tenancy options, but availability depends on the property, move-in date and length of stay. Students looking for a semester stay or a shorter tenancy should check the available duration for each room or ask a uhomes.com consultant to confirm suitable options.

Yes, you can find the University of Essex postgraduate accommodation. Postgraduate students usually choose from en-suite rooms, shared accommodation, and self-contained options. University-managed postgraduate contracts ar commonly around 50 weeks. Private student accommodation may offer different tenancy lengths and room types.

Yes, uhomes.com allows you to view University of Essex Colchester campus accommodation before booking. Contact our professional advisors to arrange a viewing in person or via a virtual tour. 

Yes, you can get various discounts for University of Essex student accommodation on uhomes.com, including early bird discounts, group bookings and cashback offers. Other exclusive offers are constantly being introduced; we recommend you keep an eye on our Uni of Essex accommodation for the latest deals.

When booking Essex University housing, factors like location, budget, facilities, room types, safety, and neighbourhood vibe should be taken into consideration. You can find more factors through our detailed filters and match your needs.

No, you are free to choose to live on campus or off campus in the Essex University housing according to your own preference. Students highly seek off-campus accommodation near the University of Essex due to its facilities, variety of rooms, location, and affordability.

Yes, there are various safety measures in Essex University accommodation to keep students safe. Our accommodation is equipped with secure entry systems, electronic code locks, video surveillance, access control and on-site staff.

Finding student accommodation near University of Essex is easy with uhomes.com by following 4 steps: filter, compare, check and book.

1. Filter: Use the filter function to select from room types, near campus, price, and duration.

2. Compare: Compare different Essex University accommodations and choose the best suits your needs.

3. Check: Review the location, facilities, community amenities, fees, and reviews to ensure which housing is the best choice.

4. Book: Click 'Apply Now' on the property page and finish your booking and payment.

Yes, some University of Essex student accommodation allow students to pay rent in instalments. But payment schedules and guarantor requirements vary by property. A UK or approved guarantor may be required for certain instalment plans, while other properties may offer different payment arrangements. Confirm the payment terms before signing the tenancy agreement.

The University of Essex currently focuses its teaching and research on two campuses: Colchester Campus and Loughton Campus. Southend Campus closed at the end of August 2026, with its courses transferring to Colchester Campus.

The University of Essex Offer rate is 73.3% but the final acceptance rate is 15.8%.

Yes, the University of Essex is a well-regarded UK university, particularly for social sciences, politics and sociology. It is ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026 and 30th in the Complete University Guide 2027. Essex is also ranked in the global 301–350 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, with politics and sociology both placed in the QS global top 100 by subject.

More than one-third of University of Essex students are international students from outside the UK, representing over 140 countries. The university describes itself as a highly international community, and its Colchester Campus alone is home to more than 10,000 students from over 140 countries.

The main address for the University of Essex Colchester Campus is Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom. Colchester is located in the Essex county.