Daily parking charges

Daily charges apply to all motor vehicles at our Colchester Campus, with the exception of:

  • those with reserved car parking
  • those with annual season tickets
  • those making their daily payment via their payroll
  • motorcycles

All permit options are in addition to the annual registration fee of 0.28% of your salary, paid via monthly instalments.

When charges apply

Parking charges apply from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays and Christmas Day.

There are no daily charges out of term time for registered vehicles. Unregistered vehicles must pay the full visitor tariff.

All registered vehicle permits expire on the 30 September each year.

Payment options

Paying by the hour

Payment is on arrival at all car parks.

Parking is 18p per hour for registered vehicles is payable via the ParkSmart App (see below). There is a minimum stay charge of £0.72p.

A new cashless payment system is in place for those who choose to pay each time they visit. You pay for your parking online instead of at machines. This new system improves safety and offers a simplified way to pay for your parking. Payment for parking is operated via our partner company Parksmart.

To use our cashless parking system, you will either need to download the Parksmart app or log on via a web browser to make your payment. It is important you sign into the app by selecting the 'Single Sign On' option. You will be redirected to a University web page and prompted to use your @essex.ac.uk email address.

When you arrive:

  1. Log in to Parksmart
  2. Tap on 'Park'
  3. Enter your registration number
  4. Enter the amount of time you need to park for
  5. Pay as prompted

The parking location number for Colchester Campus is 1597. 

The car parks work on automatic number plate recognition. You don't need to display a ticket, but you can request a receipt for your payment via the Parksmart app.

Pay by text or WhatsApp

Send message Park to 0786 213 7275.


Annual season ticket

An annual season ticket for daily parking charges is available. £135 is deducted from your salary in monthly instalments.

Paying a Parking Charge Notice (PCN)

If you have received a parking charge notice please enter the notice reference and your vehicle registration number via the link in order to pay.

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Contact us
Estates and Facilities Helpdesk For general parking and transport enquiries
Telephone: 01206 872959
Travel & Transport Team