Accommodation - Returning students

Southend Campus accommodation

Make an application

Returning accommodation applications for the academic year 2025-26 will open on 12 November at 10:00am.

If you still require accommodation for the 2024-25 academic year, then you can make a late booking and applications are open now.

If you are applying for a new course or if you have completed the East 15 Theatre Arts Foundation and have been successful in getting a place on one of their degree programmes, you will need to apply as a new student.


Register your interest and we'll email you when applications open

Apply now

Returning undergraduate and postgraduate students Southend

Returning accommodation applications for the 2025-26 academic year, will open on 12 November 2024 at 10:00am.

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.

(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

Living with friends

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.

Next steps

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. 

 

Intermitting students

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.

Unable to secure University accommodation

If you're unable to secure University accommodation you have the option to live locally in privately owned rental properties. The Students' Union's house-finding service SU Homes will be able to help you find the perfect place to live.

SU Advice can offer information about tenant rights and responsibilities, about repairs, repossession, eviction, harassment by landlords, contracts, deposits and much more.

Payment

You will be required to make a £250 prepayment (which will be deducted from your first terms rental fees)to complete the Book Now allocation process (Southend undergraduate and postgraduate students), or accept your offer (SEC students).

You will be able to make this accommodation prepayment by credit/debit card as part of the Book Now process (Southend undergraduate and postgraduate students) or when you accept your offer (SEC students). If you do not make this prepayment online, you will be able to pay credit/debit or UK cheque, in person at the Cash Desk on the 2nd Floor of the Forum Building.

Please do not try and pay your accommodation prepayment now. It will only be required when you complete the Book Now allocation process (Southend undergraduate and postgraduate students) or when you accept your accommodation offer SEC students). Full instructions on paying your accommodation prepayment  will be provided via the Book Now process (Southend undergraduate and postgraduate students) or in the offer of accommodation letter (SEC students).

The refund deadline for this payment is 60 days before the start date of your contract.

Find out more about paying for your accommodation.

If you have a debt to the University

Students who have a debt to the university will not have their Book Now allocation confirmed or be made an offer of accommodation until the debt is cleared. You will be notified if this is the case and be given an opportunity to make payment to clear this debt.

If this is not received then we may not be able to confirm your Book Now allocation or proceed with your application.