Accommodation

Moving in to your Colchester Campus accommodation

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Students walking outside University of Essex Accommodation

Moving into your new home

Accommodation arrivals information.

We can't wait to welcome you to your new home!

Check out the key collection information for your area, below.

Don't forget to only bring what you need and try to keep the number of people you bring with you to help you move, to a minimum.


An important update on the Clingoe Hill roadworks (A133)

Essex Highways are undertaking works to prepare for a new rapid transit system and the A1331 link road. We've been informed that the main entrance and exit onto Clingoe Hill (A133) will be partially closed from August 2024 until autumn 2025. These works will affect new accommodation arrivals coming to the North side of campus (those living in North Towers, The Houses, Wolfson Court, The Meadows, The Copse, and The Pastures).  Therefore, please make sure you read the information carefully,  so you know how to follow the diversion onto campus, as SAT NAV instructions will not include the diversion.


Before you arrive 

For those arriving at the start of the academic year, you will need to print off or your Arrivals pass (which is available at the end of your e-induction) or have it available electronically and have your ID, as you will need this to collect your key. You can collect your keys from the start date of your contract. When you arrive, take your Arrivals pass to your designated key collection office (details below) where you will be given an envelope with a map of the building (to show you where you need to go) and your key (fob).

If you are planning on arriving late, please let us know, so that we can hold your room. Your offer will be cancelled if you do not advise us in the first 7 days. If you wish to arrive later than two weeks after the start of your contract, you will have to pay your first terms rent, for us to continue to hold your room.

If you are not able to bring certain items with you, such as bedding and kitchen items, then you have the option to order these from Essex Essentials. If you are an October start student, then you can order these and have them delivered to your room for your arrival (ordering deadline terms apply). If you are ordering at any other time of the year, then these have to be collected, as arranged by Event Essex.

Luggage

Please make sure you only bring what you need and that everything is securely packed and easy for you to transport, as staff are not able to help with your luggage.

There will be trollies (stationed near the car parks or receptions) available for you to use over the main arrivals weekend (28-29 September). Please return them to the correct trolley park when you are finished.

Travel and parking

Further information on how to get to the University can be found on our travelling to Colchester Campus page.  Parking for new arrivals is available at University Quays. Parking for The Meadows, The Copse, and The Pastures is at the Capon Road temporary car park opposite the accommodation, and North Campus is in the North Towers car park next to North Towers. Both these car parking areas are accessed via the Knowledge Gateway off of the A133. Parking for South Campus is in Valley Road Car Park for South Towers and Car Park B, behind the gym, just off of Boundary Road for South Courts, from the A133 towards Wivenhoe.

The University are providing coach transfers on our main arrivals weekend (28 and 29 September) for students arriving from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. However, you must book a space to be guaranteed a ride to campus.


Belongings collection - Central Stores

Central Stores on main campus, will be open over the Arrivals weekend for you to collect any belongings you have stored with them over the summer.

They will be open from 10am to 5pm each day on 28 and 29 September.

To find our more information or to get details of where exactly to collect your luggage, you can email them on stores@essex.ac.uk.

Welcome week

As well as moving into you accommodation, we also have a wealth of advice to help you get started on your first few days on our welcome pages.

Collecting your keys

Arrivals key collection 2024-25

North Campus (North Towers, The Houses, and Wolfson Court) 

Where to go

If you will be living on the North of campus (The Houses, Wolfson Court or Tawney Tower) please follow these instructions:

Main arrivals weekend 28-29 September 2024

If you are arriving over the main arrivals weekend, then key collection will be available from 9am to 7pm on Saturday 28 September and 9am to 4pm on Sunday 29 September, from the Silberrad Student Centre, on Square 5, next to the lake. Key collection outside of these hours will be from Security at the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.

Key collection from  3 October,

Key collection from 3 October is available from the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre from 9.15am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and out of office hours, will be from Security at the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.

Directions to the Silberrad Student Centre

Please go to the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre on Square 5, next to the lake.  

You can access this by walking along the North Causeway from the North car park, and continue passed the Tony Rich Teaching centre, then under The Hex building, which will take you to Square 4, leading to Square 5.

South Courts and South Towers  

Where to go

If you will be living on the South of Campus in South Courts (Rowhedge, Thaxted, Manningtree, Brightlingsea, Harwich, Alresford, Frinton, and Walton) or South Towers (Bertrand Russell and Eddington), please follow these instructions:

Main arrivals weekend 28-29 September 2024

If you are arriving over the main arrivals weekend, then key collection will be available from 9am to 7pm on Saturday 28 September and 9am to 4pm on Sunday 29 September, from the Silberrad Student Centre, on Square 5, next to the lake. Key collection outside of these hours will be from Security at the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.

Key collection from  3 October,

Key collection from 3 October is available from the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre from 9.15am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and out of office hours, will be from Security at the Security and Safety Centre on Square 3.

Directions to the Silberrad Student Centre

Please go to the 1st Floor of the Silberrad Student Centre on Square 5, next to the lake.  

You can access this by following the path that runs past the Sports Centre, and Sports Arena, continue on the path down past the silver Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall, to where the building sits, next to the lake. 

The Meadows and The Copse  

Where to go

If you will be living at The Meadows or The Copse on the North of Campus, please go to the accommodation reception in The Poplars building at The Copse to collect your keys.

Key collection is available from 9am on the start of your contract, and then 24 hours a dayIf the office is temporarily unmanned, please call Security on 07460373172 and they will come and assist you.

Please turn at the traffic lights in to the north side of Campus (Knowledge Gateway on the A133) and take the third exit on the first roundabout onto Capon Road where you will be guided by security staff on where the best place is to park. For SatNav purposes, please use The Copse postcode CO4 3ZT. The Capon Road car park is just opposite The Copse.  

N.B Trollies will not be provided for students moving into The Meadows, The Copse, and University Quays (except for those with accessibility requirements).

University Quays 

Where to go

On the main arrivals weekend (28-29 September), the reception in Matthews Quay 1 and the Security Office in Hawkins Quay will both be open during the day for key collection.

Monday to Friday, key collection is available from the University Quays accommodation office in Matthews Quay 1 between the hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm.

Outside of these hours your keys will be available at the Security Office in Hawkins Quay 2.

If the office is temporarily unmanned please call Security on 07460373172 and they will come and assist you.

For SatNav purposes, please use the postcode for University Quays, which is CO2 8GY. 

N.B Trollies will not be provided for students moving into The Meadows, The Copse, and University Quays (except for those with accessibility requirements).

The Pastures

Where to go

If you will be living at The Pastures on the North of Campus, please go to the accommodation reception, which is located on the ground floor of The Saltmarsh building. 

Please note, that there is not a lift in Woodrush House.

Key collection is available from 9am on the start of your contract, and then 24 hours a day. If the office is temporarily unmanned, please call Security on 07385935610 and they will come and assist you.

Please turn at the traffic lights in to the north side of Campus (Knowledge Gateway on the A133) and take the third exit on the first roundabout onto Capon Road where you will be guided by security staff on where the best place is to park. For SatNav purposes, please use The Pastures Saltmarsh postcode CO4 3ZU. The Capon Road car park is just opposite The Pastures and is a temporary car park and therefore, is gravel, so is not suitable for trollies. Luggage will need to be manoeuvred to the pavement before a trolley can be used.  

Important information
  • Where possible bring your belongings in suitcases with wheels so you're easily able to transport it to your accommodation
  • You're not permitted to have any guests to stay for the first 2 weeks of your autumn term contract
  • Please only bring one person with you where possible and arrange off campus accommodation for them.
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