To book rooms as a group, follow these steps:

1. Individual applications: The Book Now system works on a first-come, first-served basis, so each of you will need to apply individually from your own device.

2. Coordinate with your friends: Agree in advance on which flat and rooms each of you will select. When you use the Book Now system, you will be able to see which rooms are available in your preferred flat, so make sure to share this information with each other before booking.

3. Apply at the same time: Once you all know which rooms you want, go ahead and submit your applications together, at the same time.

4. Room availability: Keep in mind that other students may also be looking at the same flats and rooms. If someone books a room before you do, that room will no longer be available. In this case, you'll need to choose another room, or as a group, find a different flat with enough rooms for everyone. 

Returning undergraduate and postgraduate students Southend

Returning accommodation applications for the 2025-26 academic year, will open on 19 November 2024 at 4:00pm. Apologies for the delay.

You will be able to choose and reserve your room when you apply online, using our new Book Now process.

You will need to access the online form via the following link and select the 2025-26 academic year from the drop-down, when applying.

IMPORTANT: please remember, there is no cooling off period. You cannot cancel your contract with us once accepted/confirmed, unless you withdraw or intermit from the University, even if you don't move in. So please consider carefully before confirming your booking through Book Now or accepting an offer we have sent you.

• Apply now

(You will need your Essex username and password to apply)

Returning South Essex College (SEC) Students 

You will need to complete and online application form via the following link:

• Apply now

(You will need your Essex username and password to apply)

The cashback amount depends on the type of accommodation booked, please see below to find out how much cashback is offered for each accommodation area.

Please note terms and conditions apply.

£750 Cashback

• University Square, Southend

Please note, studios or self-contained apartments are not eligible for this offer. 

You're welcome to request an allocation with your friends. You should list their PRIDs in the 'additional information' field on the online application form. Each of your friends must also submit their own separate application and have the same preferences as you. Please note that we cannot guarantee we will be able to allocate you and your friends as a group.

Returning undergraduate and postgraduate students Southend

Once you have chosen and reserved your room online, you will receive an automated email confirming your booking. 

Your confirmation of booking will be emailed to your @essex.ac.uk email address and will contain details about your room and the accommodation charges. 

Once you have completed the Book Now process you have formed a contract which is legally binding and you will not be able to cancel your contract, unless you withdraw from the University. 

Returning South Essex College (SEC) Students

We hope to begin making accommodation offers from December 2024, so please make sure you check your email account regularly from that date for your offer (including checking your junk folder).

You will need to accept your offer of accommodation before the expiry date, to confirm your allocation for the next academic year. The offer expiry date will be clearly specified in the offer letter.

Once you have accepted the offer, you have form a contract which is legally binding and you will not be able to cancel the contract, unless you withdraw from the University. 

If you have withdrawn temporarily from Essex (intermitted) during the first term of the first year of study and decide to return the following academic year, you may re-apply for accommodation.

How to apply

Contact us in January of the year in which you intend to return to your studies.