Open Days

Get a taste of academic life and find out what lectures are really like. Book onto some taster talks and practical workshops in the subjects you're interested in.

You’ll also have the chance to chat one-to-one with our academic staff, giving you space to ask questions, explore your interests, and learn more about studying at Essex.

See where you could live

From ensuite rooms to shared flats, we offer a wide range of accommodation options at our Colchester Campus to suit different lifestyles and budgets. During the Open Day, you can explore our accommodation in person and chat with students who already live on-campus.

Take a tour of the campus

Our campus is big, vibrant, and full of life. The best way to see it all is on a guided campus tour. Led by current students, these tours take you to their favourite spots while offering honest insights into day-to-day student life at Essex.

Discover everything the Students’ Union (SU) has to offer - from clubs and societies to music, food, and support services. You’ll also be able to get involved in fun activities throughout the day and learn how the SU helps create a welcoming, thriving student community.

Take a look at the SU's latest video helping new students get ready for the Essex Experience.

Visit our Postgraduate Lounge to find out more about applying and funding, meet our Students’ Union and network with our academics.

We’ll have lots of fun stuff to get involved in too… think seasonal mocktails and music, plus some free Essex merch!

Choosing a university is a big decision, and having family or friends with you can make it easier. Whether you’re looking for support or a second opinion, you’re welcome to bring guests along on the day.

Directions

If you are using a SatNav, please use the following postcode, CO4 3FA. This will direct you to the south side of our Colchester Campus, where you'll find our multi-storey car park.

• Whether approaching our campus from London and the south or from Ipswich and the north via the A12, take the exit marked Colchester (A133).
• Follow the A133 towards Clacton-on-Sea. Approaching the University, look out for signs 'University of Essex (Wivenhoe)'. Ignore the other entrance.
• Take the B1028 for Wivenhoe. You'll see the turning for the University (Boundary Road) on the right.

The address of our Colchester Campus is:

University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester, CO4 3SQ

Parking

Please follow the Open Day car parking signs which will lead you to our allocated visitor parking in the multi-storey car park.

Parking during our Open Day is free.

Our patrol staff should be on hand to show you where to go. 

There are frequent trains from London Liverpool Street Station to Colchester with connections to Ipswich, Norwich, Felixstowe, Harwich and beyond.

We have three train stations in Colchester: Colchester Station (also referred to as Colchester North or the main station), Colchester Town and Colchester Hythe. Colchester Station is the largest and has the best bus and taxi links so we recommend using this station. There is a taxi rank and bus stop at the station. 

Free off-peak return ticket offer

For Open Day we have partnered with Greater Anglia to offer you a free off-peak return ticket to Colchester. You can claim your free ticket on Greater Anglia’s Open Day page.

The ticket can only be used on the day of the event. You must travel with at least one fare-paying passenger, who must book their ticket at the same time as yours. The free ticket is only available for Greater Anglia services. Please read the full terms and conditions when you book.

Free shuttle bus 

When you arrive at Colchester train station, you can make use of the free shuttle bus service to bring you to campus and back again. Follow signs for taxis and buses when you exit the station. The first bus departure is at 8.30am and then run approximately every 30 minutes. The bus will drop you off in Car Park A, close to the Sport Arena which is where you need to check in for day. 

When you're ready to go back to Colchester station, please wait in Car Park A. The last bus will leave at 4.10pm. 

The following buses will take you to campus:

Route 87 (towards Brightlingsea)

Route S1 (towards Wivenhoe)

Further information about bus travel in Colchester can be found on the First Bus website. You can also read more about travelling to our Colchester Campus.

We appreciate that travelling to university events can be expensive and with rising costs, we want to ensure that as many of our prospective students as possible are able to visit us.

We are therefore offering a bursary of up to £75 to help with travel costs to our Open Days.

Once you have checked in to the event you will be able to complete a travel bursary claim form online.

• Travel bursary - terms and conditions (.pdf)

We've created a collection of short, accessible videos to help you find your way around campus on the Open Day, highlighting step-free access routes.

• Step free access on our Open Day
• Journey from parking to check-in
• Journey from bus stop/taxi to check-in
• Journey from Essex Sport Arena to Tony Rich Teaching Centre and Essex Business School
• Journey from Essex Sport Arena to The Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall
• Journey from Essex Sport Arena to Lecture Theatre Building and STEM Centre

If you or your guests have any special requirements, please email us at in advance at opendays@essex.ac.uk so we can make sure your visit is as smooth as possible.

The University is set across various levels, so please check out our access information for guidance and step-free routes around campus. Staff and Student Ambassadors will also be based in all main areas to assist you on the Open Day.

Toilets will be located in all main venues and gender-neutral toilets can be found in Students' Union on Square 3.

We’re offering discounted on campus accommodation for your Open Day visit. Use code ‘VIP’ to book for an overnight stay the night before or night of your Open Day (room only).