Not living on campus? Get the most from Welcome

You'll need to come to campus to complete your registration and attend your departmental induction. But, there is so much more taking place during the week it's the perfect opportunity for you to see what Essex is all about, meet your fellow classmates and prepare for life with us. From social mixers to help you get to know your students, club nights, on-campus and off-campus events and activities, campus tours and much more - make sure you plan ahead so you don't miss anything.

Key events not to miss for commuting students

• Settling In, Colchester Campus - Monday 23 September
• Commuting & Local Students Mixer, Colchester Campus - Tuesday, 1 October

Find somewhere to stay

If you live a little bit further away, it might be tempting to save money and only come to campus for your registration and departmental induction. But with so much on, doing so will mean you miss out on everything we have to offer.

There are lots of cheap and affordable accommodation options available nearby all our campuses for you to stay in over the Welcome period, allowing you to take part in all the day and night activities we have planned.

All our offer holders are invited to join our Unibuddy Community to chat to other students coming to study with us. To help our commuters settle in and start making friends early we have a group set up dedicated to those not planning to live on campus. Find your invite to the community within your emails and connect with others in the same situation as you.

By public transport

• Train - Although there are four train stations in close proximity to the Campus, our nearest station is the Hythe (Essex) which is a 20-minute walk from campus. Trains do run less frequently to this station. However, both Colchester North and Wivenhoe Station (which have more frequent trains) are a short bus ride away.
• If you’re travelling by train, you could invest in a 16-25 railcard, if you are eligible; this can save you up to 1/3 on rail fares. Also, season tickets are available from National Rail - these usually work out more cost effective than purchasing single journeys.
• Bus - The campus is well served by the local bus network. The are several bus stops directly within the campus boundary serving the majority of local areas.
• First Essex offer a special season ticket price for University of Essex students. For Colchester students, Panther Travel offer a bus service between Harwich and Colchester, Monday to Saturday.

By car

Campus is really easy to get to by car and we are well served by major roads in and out of Colchester.

There are two main entrances to the campus, each have their own car parks commuting students can use.

• Wivenhoe Entrance - CO79HT (closest to the gym, Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall and the Lecture Theatre Building). 
• Colchester Entrance - CO4 3SQ (closest to the Essex Business School) There are currently roadworks at this entrance preventing drivers from turning right into the campus from central Colchester (or right out of the campus). To enter, either use the Wivenhoe entrance, or carry on down a road a little further where you can make a u-turn at the first set of traffic lights.

Student parking on Campus is free during Welcome week. But you’ll need to pay to park once Welcome is over and term begins. Paying to park on campus is through our app - as a commuting student you can register your vehicle for a cheaper rate, otherwise you'll need to pay the more expensive visitor rate. You can register your vehicle during Welcome week. More information, and how to register can be found on the Student Information Directory.

By public transport

• Both Southend Central and Southend Victoria train stations are just a short walk away from the University campus. Trains run frequently from London with journey times of 45 minutes to one hour
  • London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (0.3 miles from our campus) - operated by Abellio Greater Anglia
  • London Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (0.2 miles from our campus) - operated by c2c

By car

• Southend Campus is situated in a busy city centre with several public car parks near by. More information about parking can be found on the Student Information Directory.

Loughton is easily accessible via the London Underground (Central line), it is also easily reachable via bus and coach network. More information on how to get to Loughton can be found on our visit pages.

Information for new students joining East 15 can be found on the East 15 website

Our Student Information Directory is full of helpful information to support you throughout your time with us. From ways to save money when commuting, to finding jobs on and off campus and helping you with your study space at home. We'll aim to ensure you are always equipped to make the most of your time with us and maximise the opportunities University life brings whilst commuting.