Student parking at Colchester Campus
We encourage all students to use sustainable methods of transport whenever possible. Before applying for a parking permit, please check other options such as car sharing, walking, cycling, or making use of discounted bus and train services. Find out more about sustainable travel options.
Who can park on campus?
If you're a new student living in South Courts or The Meadows, a limited number of permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact us for more details.
For those living elsewhere on campus, students are not permitted to park on campus and cannot register their vehicle, as space is very limited. However, if you can evidence a medical or caring need, applications to park on campus can be made via the Students Services Hub.
If you're commuting and travelling to campus by car, you'll need to register and pay for parking.
Parking permits and payment
Parking charges are much cheaper when you register your car. To get the registered rate, you'll need to buy a permit. You'll then also need to pay a daily parking charge.
If you're not registered and you decide to park on campus, you'll need to pay the full visitor rate.
Register for a permit and choose a payment option
If you're a new student, you can register your car around seven days before your course starts. Current students can register a vehicle at any time during the year. You will only be permitted one parking permit.
When you register your car, you need to choose and pay for a permit. You'll also need to decide how you want to pay for daily parking charges.
Term parking permit
A termly season ticket costs £54 per term (£25 for those living in South Courts or The Meadows). For the duration of the term the permit:
- covers the cost of the permit
- gives you unlimited daily parking
This option is ideal if you plan to come onto campus frequently, or if you don't want to have to remember to pay for parking every time you arrive.
There are no charges out of term time for registered vehicles. Unregistered vehicles must pay the full visitor tariff.
The registration process can take up to two working days for your permit to activate. If you are parking on campus within these 48 hours, please inform the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk.
Termly permits expire at the end of each term, so you will need a new permit for the following term.
General permit and pay by the hour
With this option, you:
- register and pay for a 'General' permit which is £31.79 per year.
- pay 18p per hour each time you come onto campus to park (minimum stay 4 hours - 72p, a full day is £1.26)
This option is ideal if you're occasionally coming onto campus with your car, or if you just want maximum flexibility.
The registration process can take up to two working days for your permit to activate. If you are parking on campus within these 48 hours, please inform the Estates Management Helpdesk.
When daily 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.
Paying your daily charges
Payment is on arrival at all car parks using the cashless ParkSmart app.
When you arrive:
- Log in to Parksmart (or visit via a web browser). 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.
- Tap on 'Park'
- Enter your registration number
- Enter the amount of time you need to park for (there is a minimum stay charge of 64p)
- 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
Text 'Park' to 07862 137275.
Documentary evidence
You don't need to provide your vehicle documents at registration. You just need to tick the declaration to let us know that your documents and driving licence are in order and to confirm that you have a roadworthy vehicle. We may ask to see your car documents at any time during registration. Failure to provide requested documentation may result in your registration being withdrawn.
If you move onto campus you must cancel your parking registration. Daily automated checks are made to identify any resident student who applies for registration, or who has registered and not surrendered it when they moved onto campus. See the rules governing vehicle registration (.pdf)
Where you can park
- Valley car park (Please ensure you park in the student/staff area and not in the designated visitor parking in this car park)
- Car Park A (except for coach parking area)
- Multi-storey car park
- Car Park B
- Capon Road car park
- North Towers car park
- Disabled student parking
Students may not park at the Wivenhoe House Hotel and Constable Building car park, the Innovation Centre, or in parking spaces under podia (without prior authorisation from the Student Support Disability Team).
Amend your permit
Motorcycles
Resident and non-resident students can register to park a motorcycle on campus. Registration is free and motorcycles will then be exempt from the pay and display charges.
Motorcyclists must park in the designated motorcycle parking spaces at:
- South Campus - ground floor of the multi-deck car park, under the ramp
- Central Campus - under the podia
- North Campus - North Towers car park by the Causeway barrier
Paying a Parking Charge Notice (PCN)
If you have received a parking charge notice please enter the notice reference and your vehicle registration number to pay.
If you receive a parking charge notice (PCN) we expect you to pay on time and not accumulate multiple PCNs. Those who don't pay may be classed as having a non-education debt with the University and receive debt collection correspondence from the University finance team. As per our student debt policy any student in debt to the University may have their future studies affected as well as attendance at their graduation.
